(Teacher's Version) The Rise of Artificial Intelligence: Where We Are Now

Marcelo Serafim
6 days ago
4 min read

Before you start, ask the student if they make use of any artificial intelligence tool, and if so, which one?

1. A Technological Turning Point

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has reached a transformative moment in history. Once limited to science fiction, AI is now shaping every aspect of human life, from customer service to healthcare and education. With advances in deep learning, natural language processing, and autonomous systems, AI is not just assisting humans—it’s beginning to perform tasks once thought impossible for machines.

2. Leading AI Models in 2025: ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, and More

The AI space is dominated by several powerful models. ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is known for its conversational abilities, multilingual capabilities, and professional applications in writing, coding, and tutoring. Gemini, by Google DeepMind, integrates AI with live internet access and Google services, offering real-time, fact-based assistance. Grok, created by Elon Musk’s company xAI, is positioned as a “rebellious” conversational agent tightly integrated with the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Other noteworthy models include Claude (by Anthropic), known for its safety-first design, and Mistral, an efficient open-source alternative.

Are there any differences between these platforms?

3. Beyond Chatbots: AI Agents and Autonomous Systems

AI is no longer limited to answering questions—it is evolving into autonomous agents capable of managing complex workflows. Tools like AutoGPT and AgentGPT can plan tasks, use external software tools, and make decisions independently. These agents are already being used in finance, marketing, and software development to execute tasks without constant human guidance.

4. The Job Market Under Threat

As AI becomes more capable, certain professions face potential disruption. Jobs that rely on pattern recognition, data analysis, or standardized procedures are most vulnerable. AI doesn’t need breaks, vacations, or salaries—making it an attractive solution for businesses aiming to cut costs and increase efficiency.

Do you think certain jobs will be replaced by A.I. If so which ones?

5. Can Doctors and Lawyers Be Replaced?

AI systems are increasingly used in healthcare to analyze medical scans, assist in diagnostics, and even suggest treatments. In law, AI tools can draft contracts, review case law, and predict court outcomes with astonishing speed. While these systems won’t replace human expertise entirely, they are reshaping the roles of professionals, reducing the need for entry-level and routine legal and medical work.

6. Teachers and Developers on the Edge

Even creative and intellectual jobs like teaching and software development are seeing shifts. AI tutors can explain complex subjects, generate lesson plans, and assess student progress. In tech, tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT can generate code, fix bugs, and optimize algorithms. While this doesn’t eliminate the need for skilled teachers or developers, it dramatically changes how their work is done.

Why are teachers, lawyers, doctors and software developers at risk?

7. Upskilling or Obsolescence?

The workforce must adapt. Employees are encouraged to reskill and upskill—learning how to work with AI instead of competing against it. New job roles are emerging, such as prompt engineers, AI ethicists, and human-AI collaboration designers. Adaptability and lifelong learning are becoming the most valuable career skills.

8. Ethical and Social Considerations

With great power comes great responsibility. AI brings major ethical challenges, including bias, privacy issues, job loss, and misinformation. Governments and companies are developing regulations to ensure AI is used responsibly, but the pace of development often outstrips policy.

List some ethical considerations that need to be taken into account

9. The Inevitable Shift: Replace, Redefine, or Reinvent?

While many fear AI will replace humans, the more likely scenario is that AI will redefine human work. Some jobs will disappear, but others will evolve or be newly created. Rather than resisting AI, society must focus on integrating it ethically and constructively.

10. Final Thoughts

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a tool of the future—it is shaping the world now. Models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok are becoming everyday tools. As AI agents grow more capable, individuals and institutions must evolve alongside them. Education, ethics, and adaptation are the keys to navigating this intelligent new era.

❓ Comprehension Questions

What makes ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok different from each other?
Which professions are most likely to be affected by AI?
How are AI agents different from simple chatbots?
What are some ethical issues surrounding AI usage?
How can workers prepare for the changes brought by AI?

📚 Vocabulary

Word	Meaning
Transformative	Causing a significant change or revolution
Multilingual	Able to communicate in several languages
Autonomous	Acting independently or self-governing
Workflow	A sequence of processes through which work passes
Disruption	Major change that interrupts a system or industry
Diagnostics	Identifying the nature of a problem or disease
Obsolescence	The process of becoming outdated or no longer used
Reskill	To learn new skills for a different job
Bias	Unfair preference or prejudice in judgment
Integration	Combining parts into a unified whole

🔗 Phrasal Verb: Phase out

Meaning: To gradually stop using or providing something.

Examples:

Many companies are phasing out traditional customer service jobs.
The school is phasing out printed textbooks in favor of digital materials.

🇺🇸 American Idiom: Ahead of the curve

Meaning: Being more advanced or innovative than others.

Example:

Tech companies using AI to streamline operations are ahead of the curve in their industry.

🧠 English Grammar Tip: Modal verbs to talk about the future

Use modal verbs like might, will, and could to talk about possible future outcomes, especially with AI.