READING TASK (B2): Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Life

STAGE 1 (pre-reading)

Look at the title of the text:
“Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Life: Benefits and Risks”

Answer the questions:

1. What AI-based technologies do you use in your daily life?
2. How do you think AI is changing the way people live and work?
3. What risks of AI can you think of?
   

Discuss your ideas with a partner and make 2–3 predictions about the text.

STAGE 2 (reading)

Read the text and complete the tasks below.

Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Life: Benefits and Risks

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the way people live and work. It is no longer a futuristic concept but a technology that is already deeply integrated into everyday life. From voice assistants on smartphones to recommendation systems on streaming platforms, AI influences many of the decisions people make daily.

One of the most significant advantages of AI is its ability to process and analyze large amounts of data quickly and accurately. In healthcare, for example, AI systems can help doctors detect diseases at an early stage and suggest more effective treatments. In education, intelligent platforms can adapt learning materials to students’ individual needs, making the learning process more efficient and personalized.

Another important benefit is automation. AI can perform routine and repetitive tasks with high precision, which allows companies to increase productivity and reduce operational costs. As a result, employees can focus on more creative and complex activities that require critical thinking and emotional intelligence.

Despite these advantages, the growing use of AI raises several serious concerns. One of the most widely discussed issues is job displacement. As machines become more capable, many traditional jobs may disappear, especially in sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, and customer service. This can lead to economic inequality and social instability if not managed properly.

Privacy is another major challenge. AI systems often rely on collecting and analyzing personal data, including users’ preferences, behaviors, and even biometric information. Without strict regulations, this data can be misused, leading to violations of privacy and security risks.

Furthermore, there are ethical questions related to decision-making by AI systems. In some cases, algorithms may reflect biases present in the data they were trained on, which can result in unfair or discriminatory outcomes. This is particularly problematic in areas such as hiring, law enforcement, and finance.

In conclusion, artificial intelligence offers numerous benefits that can improve efficiency, innovation, and quality of life. However, it also presents significant challenges that require careful consideration. To ensure that AI is used responsibly, governments, companies, and individuals must work together to develop ethical guidelines and effective regulations.

A. Match the paragraphs with the correct headings:

1. Ethical issues
2. Introduction to AI in daily life
3. Advantages in different fields
4. Risks: employment
5. Conclusion
6. Privacy concerns
7. Automation and productivity

B. Multiple Choice Questions

Choose the correct answer (A, B, C, or D):

1. Why is AI no longer considered a futuristic technology?
   A. It is too expensive to use
   B. It is already widely used in everyday life
   C. It is still under development
   D. It is only used by scientists

2. How does AI help in healthcare?
   A. It replaces doctors completely
   B. It reduces the need for hospitals
   C. It helps detect diseases and suggest treatments
   D. It only stores patient data

3. What is the main benefit of automation?
   A. It increases the number of employees
   B. It eliminates all human work
   C. It allows people to focus on creative tasks
   D. It makes work more difficult

4. Why can AI lead to job loss?
   A. People refuse to use technology
   B. Machines can perform tasks more efficiently
   C. AI is too slow to be useful
   D. Companies do not trust AI

5. What is the main risk related to personal data?
   A. It can be deleted accidentally
   B. It is not collected at all
   C. It can be misused without proper regulation
   D. It is always protected

6. How can AI create unfair situations?
   A. By working too slowly
   B. By ignoring all data
   C. By using biased data in decision-making
   D. By refusing to make decisions

C. Vocabulary task: Find words/phrases in the text that mean:

1. “included as a natural part” → ______
2. “very important” → ______
3. “loss of jobs due to technology” → ______
4. “official rules set by authorities” → ______
5. “unfair preference or prejudice” → ______
   

STAGE 3 (post-reading)

Write an essay (140–180 words) where you reflect on the following question:

“Should the development of artificial intelligence be strictly controlled?”

Include:

• your opinion
• 2 arguments
• at least one example
• a short conclusion

Useful phrases (use at least 3 of them):

• In my opinion, …
• It is widely believed that …
• One major advantage/disadvantage is …
• This can lead to …
• For instance, …
• In conclusion, …
  

Publish your answers and your essay in the comments!