Lesson 16: The Future of Work and AI
A B2 lesson exploring the future of work and the role of AI, with a focus on grammar, vocabulary, and discussion.
About this lesson
In this lesson, we'll explore how AI is reshaping the job market and what skills will be essential over the next decade. You'll practise the passive voice and reported speech in real-world professional contexts, and expand your vocabulary with collocations and terminology related to technology, ethics, and productivity. By the end, you'll be able to confidently argue a position on abstract topics and pick up on subtle differences in meaning.
40 minutes
What you'll learn
- Discuss trends in the future of work and the role of AI.
- Practise the passive voice and reported speech in context.
- Distinguish nuances between augmentation and replacement, automation and assistance.
- Argue a position in a debate using appropriate idioms and collocations.
- Expand your academic and professional vocabulary around technology and ethics.
Lesson vocabulary
- automation Automation can free time for strategy and creative problem-solving.
- disruption AI will likely disrupt certain administrative roles in the near future.
- scalability One advantage of AI tools is their scalability across large organisations.
- oversight Human oversight is essential when deploying AI in high-stakes contexts.
- empathy Human empathy will remain essential in roles that require complex judgment.
- creativity Human creativity remains a competitive edge that AI cannot easily replicate.
- algorithm Algorithmic decisions must be audited to prevent bias and ensure fairness.
- bias We must audit AI systems regularly to detect and prevent bias.
- compliance Strict compliance with data regulations is mandatory for all AI applications.
- stakeholder All stakeholders must be consulted before major AI-driven changes are implemented.
- redundancy Widespread automation could lead to redundancy in certain administrative departments.
- upskilling Companies are investing in upskilling so that teams can adapt quickly to AI.
- resilience Resilience and adaptability are among the most valued qualities in the modern workforce.
- innovation Data ethics should guide innovation in the field of artificial intelligence.
- productivity AI-driven tools have the potential to boost productivity across many sectors.