EnglishClub

Pre-listening vocabulary

• mathematician: a person who solves problems using numbers
• theoretically: according to theory rather than physical evidence
• calculation: the process of solving mathematical problems
• algorithm: a set of instructions that a computer can follow
• predict: to make a guess about something that will happen in the future
• generate: to produce something

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:22 — 1.3MB)

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Gapfill exercise

Ada Lovelace was an English mathematician known for her contributions to early science. She was born in 1815. Her father was Lord Byron, a famous poet. However, her mother wanted her to be in math and science instead of the arts. In 1833, Lovelace met a mathematician named Charles Babbage, who had designed a machine that could theoretically make calculations on its own. This machine was called the Difference Engine. Lovelace was inspired by Babbage’s and helped him write an algorithm for his next , the Analytical Engine, which was even more complex. Lovelace’s algorithm is now known as the first computer program. In her notes, Lovelace predicted that machines would one day be able to generate music and using algorithms.

Comprehension questions

See answers below

1. Ada Lovelace’s father was
   a. a poet
   b. a mathematician
   c. a scientist
   
2. Lovelace helped Charles Babbage
   a. build the mechanisms for the Difference Engine
   b. write an algorithm for the Analytical Engine
   c. develop the idea for the Analytical Engine
   
3. Lovelace predicted that
   a. machines would become smarter than humans
   b. society would become extremely dependent on machines
   c. machines would be able to generate music and images

Discussion/essay questions

1. Computers have advanced a lot since Ada Lovelace’s time. Today, artificial intelligence can generate many things, including art, writing, and music. What do you think the future of artificial intelligence is? Do you think it is possible for a machine to be creative?

Transcript

Ada Lovelace was an English mathematician known for her contributions to early computer science. She was born in 1815. Her father was Lord Byron, a famous poet. However, her mother wanted her to be educated in math and science instead of the arts. In 1833, Lovelace met a mathematician named Charles Babbage, who had designed a machine that could theoretically make calculations on its own. This machine was called the Difference Engine. Lovelace was inspired by Babbage’s ideas and helped him write an algorithm for his next project, the Analytical Engine, which was even more complex. Lovelace’s algorithm is now known as the first computer program. In her notes, Lovelace predicted that machines would one day be able to generate music and images using algorithms.

Answers to comprehension questions

1a 2b 3c

Pre-listening vocabulary

• foundation: an idea that other ideas are built on
• hypothetical: potential, not currently real
• instruction: an explanation of what to do and how to do it
• decode: to find the hidden meaning of a coded message
• shun: to reject someone
• pardon: to forgive someone for a crime

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:16 — 1.2MB)

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Gapfill exercise

Alan Turing was a British mathematician. He was born in 1912 in London, England. His ideas are considered to be the early foundations for modern . In 1936, he described a hypothetical device that could read and follow instructions. He also developed the Turing test, which was meant to determine if a could think like a human. During World War II, Turing built a machine that helped the Allied forces decode Nazi . His work helped Britain and the Allies win the war. However, the government later arrested and shunned him for being gay, which was at the time. Turing died in 1954, two years after his conviction. The Queen officially pardoned him in 2013.

Comprehension questions

See answers below

1. Turing was a
   a. mathematician
   b. physicist
   c. military leader
   
2. The purpose of the Turing test is
   a. to determine how fast a machine can work
   b. to determine how well a machine can follow instructions
   c. to determine if a machine can think like a human
   
3. During World War II, Turing helped the Allies by
   a. inventing new technology for weapons
   b. creating a machine that could break Nazi codes
   c. analyzing Nazi military plans

Discussion/essay questions

1. Alan Turing’s accomplishments were disregarded for many years. Do you know any other important historical figures who were dismissed in their time?
2. Do you think it is possible for a machine to think like a human?

Transcript

Alan Turing was a British mathematician. He was born in 1912 in London, England. His ideas are considered to be the early foundations for modern computers. In 1936, he described a hypothetical device that could read and follow written instructions. He also developed the Turing test, which was meant to determine if a machine could think like a human. During World War II, Turing built a machine that helped the Allied forces decode Nazi messages. His work helped Britain and the Allies win the war. However, the government later arrested and shunned him for being gay, which was illegal at the time. Turing died in 1954, two years after his conviction. The Queen officially pardoned him in 2013.

Answers to comprehension questions

1a 2c 3b

Pre-listening vocabulary

• artificial: made by humans; not natural
• digital: relating to computers
• streaming platform: an internet service that provides movies, music, or TV shows
• recommend: to suggest something that a person might enjoy or find useful
• researcher: someone who studies or experiments with something

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:17 — 1.2MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | More

Gapfill exercise

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is any type of that can learn how to do tasks on its own. Artificial intelligence is starting to become very in everyday life. Phones and tablets often come with digital assistants. Streaming platforms use AI to recommend content to their users. The type of AI we have today is called narrow AI, which means it can only perform very specific tasks. Researchers are trying to create something called general AI, which would be able to think and learn like a human. But many scientists are concerned about the of AI. An extremely intelligent computer would be very good at accomplishing its , but it might not care very much about human life.

Comprehension questions

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Discussion/essay questions

1. AI has many benefits for humans, but it could also be very dangerous for our future. What are some of the pros and cons of creating an advanced AI?
2. Do you think scientists should continue to develop AI? Why or why not?

Transcript

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is any type of computer that can learn how to do tasks on its own. Artificial intelligence is starting to become very common in everyday life. Phones and tablets often come with intelligent digital assistants. Streaming platforms use AI to recommend content to their users. The type of AI we have today is called narrow AI, which means it can only perform very specific tasks. Researchers are trying to create something called general AI, which would be able to think and learn like a human. But many scientists are concerned about the future of AI. An extremely intelligent computer would be very good at accomplishing its goals, but it might not care very much about human life.