| LESSON OVERVIEW
The main objectives of this speaking lesson on AI partners are to:
- discuss the ways humans interact with AI;
- watch a video exploring AI as romantic partners;
- debate AI’s impact on human connection.
Students explore how humans can relate to AI. They reflect on the roles people can play in someone’s life, read about a sci-fi film and show episode and watch a video on relationships with AI. Students share their opinions, talk about possible situations in the future and discuss which features they would choose in an AI partner. They also share their reactions to different scenarios and debate how AI partners affect human communication and feelings of loneliness.
B2 / Upper Intermediate45 min
60 minSpeaking ClassUnlimited Plan
This is a Speaking Class worksheet. It includes a variety of tasks that let your students practise their speaking skills. This lesson format does not focus on grammar or vocabulary. Learn more about it here.
WARM-UP AND VIDEO
This speaking lesson on AI partners starts with an optional vocabulary activity in which students brainstorm adjectives to describe relationships. Then, they move on to a warm-up. Students think about the different roles people can play in someone’s life (e.g. companion, mentor, partner). They say who might fulfil these roles and if one person can take on more than one role. After that, students read about a sci-fi film and an episode from a show, and discuss questions about AI and human relationships in films and real life. Next, they watch a video on romantic relationships with AI and discuss how much they agree or disagree with some statements (e.g. AI partners will never replace real human relationships.). Afterwards, students look at potential future scenarios (e.g. Every person is provided with a free AI personal mentor or companion.) and discuss whether these should be allowed. They explain their opinion.
MORE DISCUSSION
In this part of the speaking lesson on AI partners, students imagine they have decided to have an AI partner or companion. They discuss which features of this AI partner they would choose (e.g. AI partner who exists only as a voice OR one with a humanoid body), and why. Following that, they explain how they would react in different scenarios related to ethical and emotional dilemmas in relationships with AI (e.g. Your best friend tells you they are in love with an AI partner and they want to introduce you to them.). Afterwards, students have a debate exploring the impact of AI partners on human communication and loneliness. Students use phrases for debating ideas (e.g. To present your opinion: In my opinion…/ As I see it…/ To me, it seems that…).
WORKSHEETS
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Great lesson, thank you Inna !
Thank you for your feedback! Happy you liked the lesson 🙂
I have used this lesson three times in two weeks, and everyone has loved it! I have used it for B1 to C1, and everyone engaged in lively discussions. Thank you so much for this lesson!
Thank you so much for this comment! It’s great to know you managed to adapt this lesson for students of different levels 🙂
The embedded bbc video is broken, but it’s still available on youtube.
Hi! We’ve just checked that and it works fine, so please try again 🙂