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Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. generative AI
    • ex. Generative AI can create new things, like writing stories or making pictures, by learning from a lot of data.
  2. in progress
    • ex. The painting is in progress. The artist still needs a few more days to finish it.
  3. on board
    • ex. The manager explained the new rules well, so the team got on board with the changes.
  4. transformation
    • ex. The city’s transformation was complete after the government built new parks and cleaned the streets.
  5. invest
    • ex. Tom's parents helped him invest money in a small business to learn about finance.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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Amazon CEO Andy Jassy expects that generative AI will reduce its office workforce in the next few years. He said Amazon will need fewer people in the company’s offices because of the use of AI. However, he said Amazon will need more people for other types of work. According to Jassy, Amazon has more than 1,000 generative AI services and applications in progress or built, but it wants to create more.

Jassy encouraged Amazon staff to get on board with the company’s AI plans by joining workshops, trying new AI tools, and applying their knowledge at work. This shows that Amazon wants everyone to be part of the company’s AI transformation.

To support its AI goals, Amazon is investing heavily in new data centers. These centers provide the power needed for AI services. Amazon is also testing AI features on its Prime streaming service and Alexa devices. In addition, the company invested in an AI startup and is working with Intel to develop special AI chips for its cloud services.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Amazon’s AI Transformation

  • What do you think about Amazon using more AI in its work (ex. it’s scary, it’s normal)? Discuss.
  • How do you feel about some jobs disappearing while new jobs appear because of AI? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, should other companies or businesses also go through AI transformation like Amazon? Why or why not? Discuss.

Working and Living with AI

  • How would you feel if your company asked you to use AI at work? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, should companies help workers learn new skills if AI changes their jobs? Why? Discuss.
  • What are some good and bad things about using AI in daily life? Discuss.