ROBOT SERVANTS ARE GOING TO MAKE YOUR LIFE EASY. THEN THEY’LL RUIN IT

By: Ivan Selinger

Published: Wired; 09.05.14

http://www.wired.com/2014/09/robot-servants-are-going-to-make-your-life-easy-then-theyll-ruin-it/ 

Level of Difficulty: **

STUDY PLAN:

• Cover the section titled “Familiarize yourself with the topic”
• Think about or discuss the questions listed under the title “Before you read”
• Cover the questions and check your answers in the usual manner”
• Return to the task the following day and access the material listed under the title “Writing task”
• When you have watched the videos, done the reading and made a few notes, sit down and write.

FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE TOPIC

• “Jibo family friendly robot aims to give artificial intelligence a cutesy face” http://techcrunch.com/2014/07/17/jibo/ 
• “19 Things to ask Siri when you are bored” http://www.buzzfeed.com/ariellecalderon/things-to-ask-siri-when-youre-bored#222gglw

BEFORE YOU READ

·         What areas are robots currently being used in?

·         What other areas could they be used in?

·         Could they be used in the home as servants?

·         What would the advantages of such robots be?

·         Can you think of any disadvantages?

QUESTIONS

1.       In what way is Jibo similar to Rosie?

2.       The writer feels Jibo is:

·         A harmless gadget

·         A sweet gadget

·         An dangerous gadget

·         A worrying gadget

3.       What does “This problem” in the phrase “This problem doesn’t arise” refer to?

4.       A definition of grunt work is provided in the text. State clearly what it is.

5.       Digital assistance technology that involves predictive technology is dangerous because it can…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. (two possible answers)

6.       The Eric example proves that Jibo is……………………………………………………………………………….

7.       Jibo and similar products could cause human beings to …………………………..by preventing the growth of………………………………………………………..

8.       What does “this feature” in the phrase “lots of users love this feature” refer to?

9.       What is the most important feature of Quick Type?

10.   Overdependence on predictive technologies could transform us into ………………………………..

11.   Complete the following sentence to best reflect the main idea of the text: It is wise to watch out against …………………….. as well; not just weapons systems and the like.

WRITING TASK

Use the information in the text to write about the advantages and disadvantages of technological helpers. Before you do so, access the texts and videos below for deeper understanding

·         “Why your devices shouldn’t do the job of being you” http://bigthink.com/Mind-Matters/why-your-devices-shouldnt-do-the-work-of-being-you

·         “Dyson releases the eye, a robot vacuum with a 360 degree camera” http://www.wired.com/2014/09/dyson-releases-the-eye-a-robot-vacuum-with-a-360-degree-camera/ 

·         “Computers that know what you need before you ask” http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2014/03/17/290125070/computers-that-know-what-you-need-before-you-ask

·         “The robots are coming but are they really taking our jobs?” http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/08/the-robots-are-coming-but-are-they-really-taking-our-jobs/375655/ 

A more challenging text:

·         “Google versus our humanity: how the emerging internet of things is turning us into robots” http://www.salon.com/2014/05/22/google_vs_our_humanity_how_the_emerging_internet_of_things_is_turning_us_into_robots/ 

ROBOT SERVANTS ARE GOING TO MAKE YOUR LIFE EASY. THEN THEY’LL RUIN IT KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES

This text introduces robot servants and the possible impact of technological helpers; a completely novel subject which should rouse interest. The section titled “Familiarize yourself with the issue” should provide the opportunity for a lively warm up activity. The text leads to a very tidy writing task. Different from previous activities, the writing task should be preceded with some additional videos and reading to introduce the concept of research based writing. All the material is suited to the students’ level and each text or video highlights one aspect of the problem. It is suggested that the whole task be spread out over two days with the actual research and writing being done for homework.

1.       They are both family robots (or robot servants)

2.       D; C is too strong

3.       Diminishing our quality of life and character

4.       Basic, manual bureaucratic and cognitive labor. The answer is in the following paragraph.

5.       Profoundly impact who we are ; OR, it can stop thinking

6.       An anticipatory computing product

7.       Be kept by their house; virtues associated with willpower

8.       Quick Type (This is the name of the program. The rest is an explanation of what it does)

9.       It predicts what you’ll likely say next.

10.   Predictable facsimiles of ourselves

11.   Non lethal robot servants