Chapter 12
Artificial Intelligence and Robots
Warm-up
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
Do you know what these objects in the pictures are? Match each one with its name.
1. Robotic Cleaner ____F_____
4. Smart Phone ________
2. GPS ________
5. Cleaner _________
3. Robot ________
6. Computer __________
Reading
Artificial Intelligence and Robots
You have probably had the experience of playing the game of
‘rock-paper-scissors’ with another person, but have you ever thought that you could
play this game with a robot? If yes, who do you think would win? The answer is that
the robot would beat you every single time. Designed by Japanese scientists, this
special robot takes only a single millisecond to tell what shape your hand is in and a
few more to make the hand shape that will beat you. All of these decisions happen so
fast that your naked eyes cannot tell that the robot is waiting for you to commit
yourself before it makes its following move; this how the robot can defeat you 100%
of the time.
This is not only the case in which robots have beaten human beings at playing
games. In 1997, a chess-playing computer, Deep Blue, developed by IBM, defeated
the world chess champion Garry Kasparov. The computer used sophisticated systems
to assist it in searching through each players’ possible moves and opponents’ possible
responses so it could figure out the best and worst moves (both its own and its
opponent's) after each turn.
From the funny robotic game players mentioned above, to smart phones that are,
in effect, our personal concierges, to the GPS (Global Positioning system) that
recommends better routes to take through traffic, artificial intelligence (AI) is
changing our lives in many ways. And more and more applications are being brought
out from labs by the hour that make our lives more interesting and convenient. You
might ask if computers and robots are omnipotent. Is there soon going to be a
general-purpose supercomputer that can do everything you need to do in your life?
Will robots and computers talk and think just like us humans someday in the near
future?
Unfortunately, even if Deep Blue could beat a human chess champion, most
robots and computers are not the sophisticated emotional beings that we see in movies.
Fetching a beer from the fridge is easy for a man, but definitely not for a robot. A
robot fetching a beer has to ‘realize’ where the fridge and the handle are in order to
open the door and grab the can. It must also figure out how to hand over the can and
not simply drop it in the receiving person’s lap. Despite the fact that researchers have
repeatedly attempted to replicate the human perception that permits such learning,
robots are still not good at perceiving their environments.
The turning test, proposed by the British mathematician Alan Turing in 1950, is a
way of verifying machine intelligence to see if it can fool humans into thinking that
they are talking with another person by text. So far, however, no AI programs have
passed this test. The reason is that it involves another important skill that machines
cannot do: Usefully incorporating past experiences into their knowledge bases.
Machines can store large amounts of information and conversations, but no one so far
has been able to teach them how to catalogue and incorporate those memories into
their decisions. This is why machines cannot actually learn like humans do.
To create machines that mimic human thinking would be a tremendous scientific
achievement. Although we are far away from humanlike AI at present, it still takes a
while, however, to realize you are not “talking” with a human when you communicate
by text with a smart robot.
Comprehension Check
1. What is the main idea of this article?
(A) The rock-paper-scissors robotic game player and Deep Blue are two kinds of AI
applications.
(B) Robots and artificial intelligence can beat human beings, but they cannot think
and talk like human beings.
(C) Creating humanlike AI is a tremendous scientific achievement that all
researchers need to work toward.
(D) Although many AI applications have been created, there still is a lot more
progress that needs to be made by machine intelligence researchers.
2. Which of the following statements is true?
(A) Deep Blue, developed by IBM in 1996, uses complicated systems to figure out
the best and worst moves after each chess-player’s turn.
(B) GPS, smart phones, and robot labs are so-called artificial intelligence (AI).
(C) Robots are not as intelligent as those in science-fiction films.
(D) The turning test uses machine intelligence to fool humans into thinking that
they are talking to another person.
3. ‘Despite the fact that researchers have repeatedly attempted to replicate the human
perception that permits such learning, robots are still not good at perceiving their
environments.’ What does ‘permits’ mean in this sentence?
(A) Allows
(B) Appreciates
(C) Perceives
(D) Persuades
4. What can be inferred from the article?
(A) Machines can grab things just like as we humans do.
(B) Machines can store a great deal of information, but they cannot classify and file
those memories.
(C) A general-purpose robot is not possible to develop.
(D) Researchers can now teach robots grab things around them and successfully
perceive their environments.
5. In which journal may this article have been published?
(A) Modern Language Journal
(B) Science Today
(C) Humanity Quarterly
(D) Society and Health
Key: 1. (D) 2. (C) 3. (A) 4. (B) 5. (B)
Discussion
1. Do you have a smart phone? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using
one?
2. Have you ever watched a science-fiction film or heard any special AI applications?
Share you experience with your classmates.
3. If you owned a super robot, what would you want it to do for you?
Vocabulary
1.
artificial adj. 人工的；人造的；假的
His office was decorated with artificial flowers.
2.
intelligence
n. 智慧；智能；理解力
Chimpanzees are animals of very high intelligence.
3.
robot n. 機器人；自動控制裝置; 遙控裝置
Many factories use robots to replace manpower for jobs in dangerous work
environments.
4. scissors
n. 剪刀(恆負數)
The tailor cut a piece of cloth with a pair of scissors to make the new dress.
4.
millisecond
n. 毫秒
A millisecond, which can be shortened to ms, is a thousandth of a second.
5.
shape n. 形狀；樣子；外形
The form of something makes its shape. The basic shapes include the square, the
triangle, and the circle.
6.
naked
adj. 裸體的；光身的
Because it is too hot to wear clothes, the man is naked to the waist.
7.
v. 做(某事)；犯錯
commit
If you commit a crime, the police will probably put you in jail.
8.
being n. 生物；人
Have you ever seen any beings from outer space?
9.
defeat
v. 打敗；戰勝；擊敗
Scientists around the world are working hard to defeat diseases and let humans
live longer.
10. champion
n. 冠軍
Mr. Brown just won the fighting match; he is now the heavyweight boxing
champion of the world.
11. sophisticated adj. 複雜的；精密的；高度發展的
The new computer program so sophisticated that no one knows how to use it.
12. assist
v. 幫助
The teacher assisted the new student with her homework after class.
13. opponent
n. 對手；反對者
Kevin is very nervous because his opponent has not lost a game this season.
14. response n. 反應；回答
I emailed their customer service a week ago, but so far I have not received a
response from them.
15. robotic adj. 機器的
I wish we someone would create a robotic cop that would help police bring
criminals to justice.
16. mention
v. 提及；說到
I remember that I mentioned this problem to you last week.
17. concierge n. 門房
The concierge is someone who helps hotel guests take messages, handle luggage,
and make travel reservations.
18. recommend
v. 推薦；介紹
I cannot decide between the steak and the pasta. Which one do you recommend?
19. route n. 路徑；路程; 航線
According to the map, this is shortest route from downtown to the amusement
park.
20. application
n. 應用
I recommend that you study statistics because it is a subject with many practical
applications.
application n. 申請
I made an application to the bank for a loan yesterday.
21. lab (laboratory)
n. 實驗室
This research center has twenty large labs and a lot of valuable scientific
equipment.
adj. 全能的
22. omnipotent
Some people believe that God is omnipotent.
23. unfortunately adv. 不性地
I arrived at the box office at five, but, unfortunately, all of tickets were sold out.
24. emotional
adj. 情感的
Emotional intelligence is a type of ability that helps you assess and control your
own and others’ emotions.
25. fetch v. 取回；(去)拿來
I taught my little dog how to fetch tennis balls last week at the park.
26. fridge n. 電冰箱
The drinks are in the fridge. Please help yourself!
27. definitely adv. 明確地；清楚地
It’s not raining now; I think that he will definitely show up soon.
28. grab
v. 抓，拿
There is a convenience store over there. Let’s grab some food to eat there.
29. lap n. 大腿
My little pet cat is sleeping tightly on my lap.
30. perceive v. 知覺；察覺
The policeman could not perceive any differences between the two bank notes.
perception n. 知覺；察覺
Mary’s perception of this issue is completely different that of others.
31. attempt
v. 嘗試
They attempted to find out why the new product failed to attract customers.
32. replicate v. 複製
Our research team has tried many times to replicate the original experiment, so we
could verify the results.
33. permit
v. 允許
They permitted the man in the black suit to enter the building.
n. 數學家
34. mathematician
Fiona’s father is a very famous mathematician; he has extensive knowledge of
many different types of mathematics.
35. verify v. 驗證；證明
You can verify your account settings by following the instructions in this email.
36. text
n. 原文；文本
You can find the full text of his speech on the website.
37. involve v. 牽涉；包含
According to the investigation, three cars were involved in the accident.
38. incorporate
v. 包含；把…合併
The results of the interviews and surveys were incorporated into the final report.
39. catalogue
v. 將…納入目錄；登記
The librarians use computers to catalogue the books in the city library.
n. 目錄；登記
Tracy doesn’t like shopping on the street; she prefers ordering clothes from online
catalogs.
40. mimic v. 模仿
The actor amused the audience by mimicking some famous celebrities.
41. tremendous adj. 很棒的
Tom and his family had a tremendous time on the beach.
adj. 巨大的
Tanya is a singer of tremendous talent.
42. achievement
n. 成就
In Taiwan, written tests are often used to measure students’ academic
achievement.
43. humanlike adj. 像人類的
Most AI researchers dream of a time in the future when we can create humanlike
machines.
Phrases and Idioms
1. so as to
為了…
2. in effect
在功效方面；實際上
3. in the near future 在不久的將來
4. in order to 為了…
5. be good at
擅長於…
6. so far
到目前為止
7. an amount of
一筆 (不可數名詞)
8. at present
目前；現在
Conversation
Jenny: Sally and Jeremy are going to my house to watch a film this weekend. Do
you want to join us?
Felix: What are you going to watch?
Jenny: We may watch A.I. Artificial Intelligence, a film produced by Steven
Spielberg.
Felix: Why this movie?
Jenny: You know that I’m a science fiction lover. The film is a story about a robotic
boy who longs to become ‘real’ so as to regain the love of his human mother.
Felix: Sounds interesting. Tell me more about the story.
Jenny: Ok. In this movie, an artificial kid was made to have real feelings, especially
a never-ending feeling of love for his mother. This robotic boy lives happily
with his human mother and father, but things change when their real son
returns home.
Felix: Does the movie have a happy ending?
Jenny: You’d better find it out by yourself. That is why watching movies is so much
fun! So, can you make it this weekend?
Felix: Yes, sure. Count me in.
User Manual of Automatic Floor Cleaner—Helper Plus
Warning: Read all safety and operating instructions before using Helper Plus
Use Restrictions ● Helper Plus has electrical parts. Do not spray or submerge it in
water. Clean with a dry cloth only.
● Helper Plus is for indoor use on hard surface floors only.
● Keep Helper Plus away from any objects that are burning and
smoking.
● Do not place anything heavy on top of Helper Plus.
Battery and
● Charge using a standard U.S. (120V AC) only.
Charging
● Use the included adapter to charge Helper Plus only.
● Do not charge Helper Plus with wet hands.
Floor type
● Helper Plus is designed to clean hard surface floors, such as
tile, wood, laminate, and linoleum.
● Helper Plus may not perform on uneven tiles or rough
surfaces like brick.
Notice: Helper Plus cannot pick up large debris. Before
cleaning with Helper Plus, pick up large debris and
sharp objects which could scratch the floor if captured
under the cleaning pad.
Cleaning Cycle
● Helper Plus cleans your home in sections, starting from
cleaning areas to its right and then to its left.
● After open areas in each section are complete, Helper Plus
cleans along edges of furniture and walls.
● When finished, Helper Plus returns to where it starts and parks
itself.
Customer
Support
Visit www. Helperplus.cleaner.com for:
◆ frequently asked questions
◆ online help
◆ information about replacement parts and service
Or call us at 0800 005 444 7723.
Register your Helper Plus online
Your registration helps us provide you with important
product updates and better service in the future.
manual 操作手冊
automatic 自動的
warning 警告
instruction 操作指南
restriction 限制
electrical 電的
spray 噴灑
submerge 浸…入水中
cloth 布；布料
indoor 室內的
battery 電池
(120V AC) 電壓 120
adapter 變電器
tile 瓦；磁磚
laminate 層壓版；薄板
linoleum 鋪地板油布
perform 執行
uneven 不平整的
rough 粗糙的
edge 邊緣
frequently 經常地
online 線上的
replacement 替換品；取代
Comprehension Check
1. What is the main purpose of this form?
(A) To list all of the functions of Helper Plus.
(B) To provide guidelines for product users.
(C) To inform customers of return policies.
(D) To give users online registration information.
2. Which is NOT included in the manual of Helper Plus?
(A) The manufacturer’s name.
(B) Use restrictions.
(C) Charging information.
(D) Customer rapport.
3. Which of the following floor types can Helper Plus perform on?
(A) Hard surface and uneven grounds.
(B) Clean and rough surface floors.
(C) Wood and tile.
(D) Brick and stone
4. Which of the statements is true?
(A) Helper Plus is for outdoor use on hard surface floors only.
(B) Use your own battery to charge Helper Plus.
(C) Helper Plus can effectively pick up the objectives that scratch the floor.
(D) Customers can register the item they bought online.
5. ‘Helper Plus may not perform on rough surfaces like brick.’ In this sentence, what
is the word ‘perform’ mean?
(A) Charge.
(B) Touch.
(C) Work.
(D) Neglect
Answer key: 1. (B) 2. (A) 3. (C) 4. (D) 5. (C)