Topic 32: Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Part 1: Introduction and Interview Questions
Directive for Part 1:
- Preparation Time: None (Answer immediately)
- Speaking Time: 4–5 minutes
- Kind of Answer Expected: Short, direct answers with personal experiences or opinions.
Questions:
- What do you know about Artificial Intelligence?
- Do you think AI will become more common in our everyday lives? Why or why not?
- Have you ever used any AI technology? Can you describe it?
- Do you think AI can replace human jobs in the future? Why or why not?
Sample Answers for Part 1:
- Band 9 (Expert User):
“Artificial Intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and act like humans. I believe AI will become more common in our everyday lives, as it’s already being used in things like virtual assistants, self-driving cars, and even healthcare. I personally use AI through my phone’s voice assistant, and it helps me with setting reminders and finding information. In the future, AI might replace some jobs, but I think human creativity and emotional intelligence will still be irreplaceable in many fields.” - Band 7 (Good User):
“AI is technology that makes machines smart and able to do things that usually require human intelligence, like understanding language or recognizing patterns. I think AI will become more common, especially in areas like healthcare and transport. I’ve used AI in apps like Siri to help with tasks. It might replace some jobs, like in manufacturing, but I don’t think it will replace jobs that need human touch or creativity.” - Band 5 (Modest User):
“AI is machines that can think like humans. I think AI will be more common because it is used in phones and cars already. I use AI sometimes in my phone. I think AI can replace some jobs, like in factories, but not all jobs.”
Explanation for Part 1:
- Band 9: The answer is fully developed, with clear explanations and examples, demonstrating a good understanding of AI and its future impact.
- Band 7: The answer is clear and relevant but lacks the depth of a Band 9 response. The speaker provides a solid explanation with a personal example.
- Band 5: The response is basic and lacks elaboration. The speaker makes a simple attempt at answering the question but does not go into much detail.
Part 2: Long Turn (Individual Speech)
Directive for Part 2:
- Preparation Time: 1 minute
- Speaking Time: 1–2 minutes
- Kind of Answer Expected: Detailed, well-organized speech on the given topic.
Task:
Describe a positive or negative experience you’ve had with AI. You should say:
- What the experience was
- How AI was involved in the experience
- How you felt about the experience
And explain whether you think AI will improve in the future.
Sample Answer for Part 2:
- Band 9 (Expert User):
“One positive experience I had with AI was when I used a voice assistant to help me plan a trip. I had a lot of things to do, like booking flights, hotels, and figuring out the best places to visit. I asked my voice assistant to help me find options, and it gave me suggestions for flights, directions, and even recommended local attractions. I was really impressed by how efficient it was, and it saved me a lot of time. This experience made me realize how much AI can help with tasks that we might think are too small to need assistance. I definitely think AI will continue to improve, especially in areas like personal assistants and healthcare.” - Band 7 (Good User):
“I’ve used AI when using voice assistants on my phone to set reminders or send messages. It works quite well, but sometimes it doesn’t understand me or makes mistakes. I felt a bit frustrated when that happened, but overall, it was a positive experience. I think AI will improve and become even more helpful in the future, maybe understanding people better and being able to do more tasks.” - Band 5 (Modest User):
“I used AI in my phone to talk to Siri. It helped me with setting reminders, but sometimes it didn’t understand me. I felt frustrated sometimes, but it was okay. I think AI can get better in the future.”
Explanation for Part 2:
- Band 9: The speaker provides a clear, detailed answer with a personal anecdote. The response shows deep engagement with the question and reflects on the future of AI.
- Band 7: The response is relevant and clear but with less detail and insight compared to Band 9. The speaker provides an example, but the reflection on AI’s future is less developed.
- Band 5: The answer is short and simple, with little elaboration or reflection. The speaker explains the experience but does not add much depth.
Part 3: Discussion
Directive for Part 3:
- Preparation Time: None
- Speaking Time: 4–5 minutes
- Kind of Answer Expected: Longer, more analytical responses that explain and justify opinions.
Questions:
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of AI?
- How do you think AI will impact education in the future?
- Do you think AI could ever become dangerous? Why or why not?
- Should governments regulate AI development? Why or why not?
Sample Answers for Part 3:
- Band 9 (Expert User):
“AI brings numerous advantages, like increasing efficiency, automating tasks, and enhancing accuracy in fields like healthcare. However, it also has disadvantages, such as the potential for job displacement and concerns about privacy. In education, AI could revolutionize learning by providing personalized lessons and improving access to information. However, there’s a risk that it might reduce human interaction in classrooms. Regarding safety, AI could become dangerous if it’s used maliciously, like in military applications, or if it becomes too autonomous. Governments should definitely regulate AI to ensure it’s used ethically and safely, preventing any potential harm to society.” - Band 7 (Good User):
“AI can make our lives easier by helping with tasks and improving productivity, but it could also lead to job losses, especially in industries like manufacturing. In education, AI could help teachers by providing personalized learning, but it might reduce human interaction, which is important for development. AI could be dangerous if it’s not controlled or if it gets too advanced without proper safety measures. Governments should regulate AI to make sure it’s used for the right purposes.” - Band 5 (Modest User):
“AI is good because it helps with work and can do things quickly. But it can be bad because people might lose jobs. In education, AI might help students learn, but it can also be bad because they won’t talk to teachers much. AI can be dangerous if it is used wrong. Governments should control it to stop bad things happening.”
Explanation for Part 3:
- Band 9: The answer is well-developed, offering a balanced perspective on both advantages and disadvantages, with examples and clear reasoning. The speaker also considers multiple aspects of the issue, including safety and regulation.
- Band 7: The answer is clear and relevant, but the ideas may not be as deeply developed or supported as in Band 9. The speaker covers the main points but lacks detailed examples or advanced vocabulary.
- Band 5: The response is simple and lacks elaboration. The ideas are not fully developed or supported, and the vocabulary is basic.