TASK 2:
ESSAY INFORMATION:
Written by: IELTS I-Ready, 2/3/2024
Marked by: Ex-BC Examiner
(IELTS Academic – 29/2/2024)
Question: Scientists believe that computers will become more intelligent than human beings. Some people find it positive while others think it is a negative development. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
ANSWER:
Many believe that machinery which would be more intelligent than humans in the foreseeable future may exert certain benefits for mankind, others are of the opposite opinion. Both sides of the argument will be justifiably clarified, and I assert this development will bring more harm than good.
Opponents of computer technology being more advanced than the human brain claim that machines would overrule human beings in the distant future. Due to the evolution in artificial intelligence, machines would gain intellectual cognition and consciousness to retaliate against humans. More specifically, they may perceive that humans are the main culprit for many perennial problems such as international conflicts or environmental degradation, leading to these instruments ruling over the human race to solve these issues. This conspiracy theory is backed up by technological tycoons like Elon Musk and renowned physicists like Stephen Hawking. As a result, computers that are more intelligent than humans would inflict serious threats to the existence of humankind.
Nevertheless, as a dystopia where machines rule humans would not occur in the short run, thus, I would side with the proponents of this trend due to increased work efficiency. Human employees may be bored of mundane, time-consuming tasks or even suffer from fatigue because of their heavy workload. In contrast, machines are programmed with sets of algorithms to excel in a particular area and are less susceptible to system breakdowns which may lead to a more streamlined process. For example, many insurance companies in Australia such as RAC or Youi leverage machine learning voicebots and chatbots to answer clients’ queries. This application helps these businesses process a higher volume of claims at a faster rate.
In conclusion, while people may fear that technological revolution may threaten the survival of humanity, I contend that this threat is outweighed by the higher workflows for higher productivity. (303 words)
Highlight Vocabulary:
foreseeable future: tương lai gần
overrule: thống trị
evolution in artificial intelligence: sự tiến hoá trong trí tuệ nhân tạo
intellectual cognition: nhận thức trí tuệ
consciousness: ý thức
retaliate: trả thù
culprit: thủ phạm
perennial: lâu năm
environmental degradation: suy thoái môi trường
conspiracy theory: thuyết âm mưu
technological tycoons: những ông trùm công nghệ
mundane: trần tục
algorithms: thuật toán
susceptible: nhạy cảm
system breakdowns: sự cố hệ thống
fatigue: sự mệt mỏi
the existence of humankind = the survival of humanity: Sự tồn tại của loài người
technological revolution: cuộc cách mạng công nghệ
streamlined process: quy trình được sắp xếp hợp lý
leverage: tận dụng
