6. Introduction

7. In IT (Information Technology - the study and practice of techniques or use of equipment for dealing with information), the hardware such as computers, phones and consumer electronics, is converging. So are the applications of IT, with a convergence of information, entertainment, communications, shopping, commerce and education. We must, however, solve the interface problem (the problem of communication between us and machines). Voice and language recognition (computer programs changing speech into program commands and digital data) will provide an easy interface, avoiding the problem of technophobic users (users who have a fear or strong dislike of technology and technological devices). Telecomms applications (programs used for communications over long distances) will be more common. They will contain smart databases (electronic filing systems with records that can be easily sorted and searched) and virtual environments (environments that are computer simulated), with ID (identity) verification, encryption (the transformation of data into coded form to make it secure), translation and other services based on voice processing (changing speech into digital signals). They will include a natural voice interface to talk to the computer, all the Al (artificial intelligence - computer programs that perform tasks that can normally only be done using human intelligence) to carry out the request, voice synthesis (the generation of a human-sounding voice using electronic circuits) and visualisation technology (systems and devices used to create a virtual reality environment) to get the answer out. E-cash (electronic money) will be used on the Net (the Internet). Changes in work practices may lead to teleworking (working at home while communicating with your office by

8. computer, telephone and fax). High bandwidth connections (communications links with a high signal capacity) will be available in trains and planes. Communicator badges will be used to provide voice links to network computers, and earphones will have built-in voice synthesisers (electronic devices that generate a human-sounding voice).

9. Homo Cyberneticus is the name used in this unit for humans that have superhuman brainpower because their brains are directly linked to ultra-smart computers.

10. Homo Optimus is the name given to biologically optimised humans.

11. Homo Hybridus is a human with both the body of an Olympic athlete and a brain connected to cyberspace (the combination of all the data on all the computer networks throughout the world, accessed using the Internet).

12. Reverse engineering of the human brain (exploring the human brain from the inside and finding out how it works) will be required to recreate human intelligence. Eventually, tiny scanning robots (computer-controlled mechanical devices) will be sent along blood vessels to map the brain from the inside. At the moment, computers work in serial (processing one item of data at a time) and brains work in parallel (processing lots of different data at the same time). Parallel computers will be able to reproduce some of the higher functions of the human brain.

13. Smart phones are telephones that use artificial intelligence to translate speech into different languages in real-time (instantly). Intelligent agents (computer programs that can be trained to watch, learn and start communicating) will help users to deal with the deluge of information from the electronic revolution.

14. Biotechnology (the industrial application of biological science techniques) is another core focus of R&D (research and development). Putting people online (connecting them to the Internet) and allowing them to upload medical information

15. (copy from a client computer to a server computer) can reduce the pressure on hospitals.

16. Futurologists predict that humans will be eclipsed by a supercomputer more powerful than the human brain.

18. OBJECTIVES

19. By the end of this unit, Ss should be better at:

• reading and note-taking

• listening and note-taking

• arguing a case

• writing a summary.

20. They should understand and be able to use:

21. • predictions with the Future perfect and It in subject position.

22. They should have a better understanding of terms used in discussing the future of IT.

23. STARTER

24. 1 and 2 Task 1 is the individual phase of a group task. As a variation, you can ask Ss to work in small groups. Set each group one of these areas to consider. Then regroup so that representatives of all three areas are together to discuss their predictions for Task 2.

25. READING

26. The future of Information Technology

27. 3 This is pre-reading for the jigsaw reading Task 4. It should be done individually. Note the use of the Past perfect after as though in the last sentence of paragraph 2. We can use as though and as /fin this way for unreal comparisons.

28. КеуЗ

29. 1 Using the text and our knowledge of the world, we can infer that his argument is: Both

30. hardware and applications are converging. Computers, phones and other electronic items use the same technology and can perform similar functions. With the development of the Internet, information, entertainment, communications, shopping, commerce and education are becoming one.

2. In terms of mental capacity, there will be no difference.

3. Each generation of computers helps design the next generation.

4. Computers will respond to spoken language.

32. 4 If your Ss need extra help with this task, have them work first in groups of three with each student reading the same text; then compare predictions before regrouping for the information exchange in Task 5. Otherwise, group them А, В and С with each student noting predictions from a different text. The three areas covered by the extracts are Commerce, Work, Humans and Computers.

33. Key 4

34. Text A

1. Area of IT: Commerce

2. Predictions:

35. The electronic marketplace will bring customers and suppliers together in smart databases and virtual environments, with ID verification, encryption, translation, billing, taxation and electronic funds transfer, automatic accounts and auditing. Services will be based on voice processing. E-cash can be completely global and could be used as a de facto standard. Its growing use on the Net will lead to its acceptance on the street and we may hold a large proportion of our total funds in this global electronic cash.

36. People will increasingly buy direct from customised manufacturers. Shops will be places where people try on clothes, not buy them.

37. Text В

1. Area of IT: Work

2. Predictions:

38. Many jobs will be automated and new jobs will be created in the new technologies. There will be virtual companies with a small core of key employees supported by contracted workers as required, possibly working from telework centres.

39. The desks they will use will have multiple flat screens, voice interfaces, computer programs with human-like faces and personalities,full­screen video-conferencing and 3D sound positioning. Connections will be wireless.

40. Text С

1. Area of IT: Humans and computers

2. Predictions:

41. By around 2030, we may be able to link our brains with computers, giving us so much extra brainpower.

42. Geneticists may have created the first biologically optimised humans. Linking them and computers would create something with the body of an Olympic athlete and a brain the size of the planet.

43. This new form may converge with the machine world, meaning Homo Sapiens could become extinct, perhaps as early as 2200.

45. 5 For this exchange and discussion phase, follow the task rubric.

46. LANGUAGE WORK

47. Predictions (2): Future perfect and It in subject position

48. 1 Future perfect

49. Write 2020 or any other future date on the board and elicit developments we will have by that date - simple noun phrases are sufficient, for example, computer-guided cars. Then show how we can link date and development to make a prediction using the Future perfect. For example,

50. By 2020 engineers will have designed computer-guided cars.

51. If some of the developments elicited are less likely, use the opportunity to demonstrate may, might and could in place of wilt.

53. 2 Predictions with It in subject position Write predictions on the board like these:

1. / think computers will be used to develop other faster computers.

2. We may work from telework centres in future.

54. Elicit other examples of opinions like these. Then write the equivalent statements with /tin subject position:

1. It's likely that computers will be used to develop other faster computers.

2. It's possible that we'll work from telework centres in future.

55. Elicit the similarities and difference between the first and second sets of statements. Both are opinions and are similar in meaning and in the certainty of the prediction, but the second set are made to appear less subjective by using it in subject position.

57. 6 Do this individually, then compare in pairs.

58. Key б (examples only)

1. Computing power wiJI have increased ten times.

2. Interfaces will have become much easier to us<

3. Flat screen LCD monitors may have replaced ail others.

4. Teleworking might have replaced working in offices.

5. Money will have been replaced by e-cash.

6. Shops may have disappeared because of on­line shopping.

7. Machine intelligence may have surpassed human intelligence.

8. The Internet may have been replaced by a better system.

9. Keyboards may have disappeared.

59. 10 Speech recognition will have been perfected.

60. 7 For individual work, then pair and compare. Note that adverbs such as well and easily do not appear in the transformation. The choice of certainty expression reflects their meaning.

61. Key 7

1. It is certain that we won't use magnetic tape.

2. It is probable that we will have electronic chips in our bodies.

3. It is likely that computers could be used to develop other computers.

4. It is unlikely that we will replace teachers with robots.

5. It is possible that we will develop alternatives to silicon.

6. It is very unlikely that we will have replaced the motor car before 2020.

7. It is highly probable that we will replace the CRT monitor in the next few years.

8. It is certain that we will have more virtual personalities on the Web.

9. It is possible we will adopt Bluetooth as a standard for wireless applications.

62. 10 It is quite likely that doctors will be able to operate on patients at a distance.

63. SPEAKING

8. Do this individually. Although Ss will have to choose one side for Task 9, they need to consider both sides as preparation.

9. Play the recording, pausing after each speaker. Ask Ss to compare with someone who has taken notes for the same side.

64. Key 9

65. For the first part of the statement

66. Speaker A We'll have the right hardware by 2020. We'll know how the brain works by 2030. After that we'll be able to recreate it.

67. For the first part of the statement, considers second part possible

68. Speaker С Rate of change is accelerating. It's only a matter of time before these artificial children of ours are able to outdo us. If we play it right, machines will look after us. If we get it wrong, machines may replace us. And it could happen sooner than we imagine.

69. Against both parts

70. Speaker В Not with today's computers but if we start having parallel computers we will begin to make a start to reproducing some of the higher functions of the human brain. But we'll never be able to program in human emotions, moral responsibility and the uniqueness of the individual.

72. 10 Place the Ss in groups of four, two for and two against. Ask them to try and reach agreement for or against the proposition or a compromise statement of their own.

73. WRITING

74. 11 Ss should combine their notes from Tasks 4, 5,8 and 9 for this task.

75. SPECIALIST READING

76. Key A

1. That anything is possible if you really put your mind to it

2. All the details of his passport, bank account, medical records and driving licence

3. Shopping

4. Software programs, networks, telephones and machines with a degree of intelligence built in

5. Increasing the speed of evolution

6. The deluge of information

7. Watching TV became interactive and therefore more active

8. a Keeping hospital wards clearer by putting

77. people on-line b A pack for heart attack victims that monitors their progress and uploads information via a radio link back to the hospital

78. 9 We will be eclipsed by a supercomputer more powerful than the human brain

79. Key В

80. 1 a vi b v с i d vii e iii f iv g ii a True b False с False d True e True f False

81. INTERVIEW

82. _{UNIT 25}

84. Electronic Publishing