Learning English

Google engineer: AI has feelings

A Google engineer has said that one of the company’s artificial intelligence systems might have its own feelings.

Neil and Sian look at the vocabulary used in the headlines about this story.

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The story 

A Google engineer claims one of the company’s artificial intelligence systems is sentient – meaning it has feelings.

Blake Lemoine says the Lamda system is not only capable of having natural conversations, but also has desires - which should be respected.

However, Google has strongly rejected the idea.

Key words and phrases

come to life
become alive; become exciting

• Sian’s party really came to life when Neil arrived.
• It’s normally a boring little town, but it comes to life during the festival.

(have a) mind of its own
(is) hard to control

• This trolley has a mind of its own – it only goes in one direction!
• She’s got a mind of her own – she never takes advice from per parents.

taken in by
tricked by

• Don’t get taken in by that email! They just want your money.
• We were all taken in by the politician’s promises.

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