English Learning for Beginners: AI & IT Vocabulary

Dialogue

Alice: Hey Bob, guess what? My smart speaker just tried to tell me a poem about toast!

Bob: (chuckles) Really, Alice? Mine just plays elevator music. I guess your AI has better taste!

Alice: It’s all about AI, Bob! Artificial Intelligence. It learns from massive amounts of data.

Bob: Data? So, if I search for “funny cat videos” fifty times, it thinks I’m a cat expert?

Alice: (laughs) Pretty much! It uses special algorithms to figure out what you like.

Bob: Algorithms… sounds like a secret recipe for digital cookies. I hope it doesn’t give me a “bug” after eating them.

Alice: Ah, a bug! That’s a tiny problem in the software that makes things not work right.

Bob: Like when my video game app crashes just before I win? Definitely a bug, then!

Alice: Exactly! And usually, the developers release an update to fix those bugs.

Bob: Updates are a constant battle. My phone always wants an update right before I leave the house!

Alice: They’re important for security and new features. And speaking of features, imagine a robot making your breakfast!

Bob: A robot chef? Sign me up! No more burnt toast, Alice. That’s a good use of technology.

Alice: That’s the dream! But for now, we rely on the code written by software engineers.

Bob: So, they’re the ones who teach the machines to “think” about toast and play music?

Alice: You got it! From complex AI to simple apps, it’s all thanks to them.

Bob: Well, tell my smart speaker to learn some new jokes. The toast poem was… unique.

Current Situation

In today’s world, technology like AI (Artificial Intelligence) and IT (Information Technology) is everywhere! From the apps on your smartphone to the smart speaker in your home, these technologies make our lives easier, more connected, and sometimes, more fun. AI uses vast amounts of data and complex algorithms to learn and perform tasks, like understanding your voice or suggesting movies you might like. Behind all these amazing things are software engineers who write code, constantly improving programs and releasing updates to fix any bugs. The future promises even more exciting developments, perhaps even friendly robots!

Key Phrases

• AI (Artificial Intelligence): A computer system that can do things that normally require human intelligence, like learning or solving problems.
  Example: Many new cars use AI for navigation.
• Data: Facts or information used by computers.
  Example: Companies collect a lot of data about what we like to buy.
• Algorithm: A set of rules or instructions that a computer follows to solve a problem or complete a task.
  Example: Search engines use complex algorithms to find information quickly.
• Bug: A mistake or error in a computer program or system.
  Example: There’s a bug in this new game, it keeps crashing.
• Software: The programs and other operating information used by a computer.
  Example: Microsoft Word and Photoshop are examples of software.
• App (Application): A program or piece of software designed for a specific purpose, especially one downloaded by a user to a mobile device.
  Example: I downloaded a new language learning app on my phone.
• Update: A newer, improved version of software, often released to fix bugs or add new features.
  Example: My phone needs an update to get the latest features.
• Robot: A machine designed to automatically carry out a complex series of actions.
  Example: Some factories use robots to build cars more efficiently.
• Code: The instructions written in a programming language that a computer can understand and execute.
  Example: Learning to write code is a valuable skill in IT.
• Smart speaker: A type of wireless speaker that uses AI voice assistance to perform tasks and answer questions.
  Example: My smart speaker can play music and tell me the weather forecast.

Grammar Points

1. Present Simple Tense

We use the Present Simple to talk about habits, routines, facts, and general truths.

• Facts/General Truths:
  • It learns from data.
  • AI has better taste.
  • A bug is a tiny problem.
• Habits/Routines:
  • Mine just plays elevator music.
  • My phone always wants an update.

Form: Subject + Verb (add -s/-es for he/she/it)

2. The Verb “To Be” (is/are)

We use “to be” (is/are/am) to describe things, identify them, or talk about their state.

• For definitions/descriptions:
  • It’s all about AI. (It is all about AI)
  • Updates are a constant battle.
  • That’s a good use of technology. (That is a good use)

Form:

• I am
• You/We/They are
• He/She/It is

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct word from the box to complete each sentence. (AI, app, bug, update, data, robot)

1. My new weather _____ tells me if it will rain today.
2. The computer system needs an _____ to fix the security issues.
3. A factory uses a _____ to paint cars quickly.
4. This website collects a lot of _____ about its users.
5. My phone crashed! I think there’s a _____.
6. Siri and Alexa are examples of _____ technology.

Answers:

1. app
2. update
3. robot
4. data
5. bug
6. AI

Exercise 2: Complete the Sentences (Present Simple)

Use the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

1. My smart speaker (play) _____ music when I ask.
2. She (use) _____ an app to learn English.
3. They often (release) _____ software updates.
4. The computer (process) _____ information very fast.
5. I (understand) _____ how algorithms work now.

Answers:

1. plays
2. uses
3. release
4. processes
5. understand

Exercise 3: Answer the Questions about the Dialogue

Read the dialogue again and answer these questions.

1. What did Alice’s smart speaker try to do?
2. What does Bob think “data” is related to?
3. What is a “bug” according to Alice?
4. What does Bob want a robot to do for him?

Answers:

1. It tried to tell her a poem about toast.
2. He thinks it’s related to searching for “funny cat videos.”
3. A bug is a tiny problem in the software that makes things not work right.
4. He wants a robot to make his breakfast (as a robot chef).