Understanding ideas 课文精读 · 人工智能
一、课文原文及逐段翻译
第1段
Artificial Intelligence: A REAL THREAT?
In the words of Professor Stephen Hawking, Artificial Intelligence will be "either the best, or the worst thing, ever to happen to humanity". Technology of Tomorrow Forum wants to hear your thoughts on AI. Is it our greatest human achievement so far? Or is it the biggest threat to our existence?
人工智能：真正的威胁？
用斯蒂芬·霍金教授的话说，人工智能将是"人类有史以来最好或最坏的事情"。明日科技论坛希望听到您对人工智能的想法。到目前为止，人工智能算是我们人类最伟大的成就还是对我们生存的最大威胁呢？
第2段
Millenniumbutterfly
千禧蝶
第3段
1. Thanks to AI, I've got my own super-smart personal assistant built into my phone. She always has an immediate answer for any question I put to her, and even uses my answers to learn more about my preferences. It used to feel like 50 per cent of my time was spent researching new restaurants. In contrast, my PA only needs a few seconds to find the right place. Every recommendation she gives me is great since she can predict if I will like a particular restaurant.
多亏了人工智能，我才可以在手机中内置个人超级智能私人助手。我向她提任何问题，她总能立即答复，甚至可以通过我的答案了解更多关于我的个人偏好。过去，我觉得自己有50％的时间花在了研究新餐厅上，相比之下，有了私人助手，只需数秒就能找到正确的餐厅了。因为她可以预测我是否会喜欢某一个餐厅，所以她给我的每一个建议都很棒。
第4段
2. And speaking of hanging out, I'm hoping that self-driving cars are available soon. I've been taking driving lessons for over a year, and still haven't got my licence. Self-driving cars can learn to drive in the same way that we do, and can make judgements based on information. And as they won't be susceptible to human error, they'll certainly be a lot safer. The only thing is that there might be a few machine-learning problems when the first cars hit the market, so perhaps I'd better learn to drive first. Still, I do think that developments in AI will on the whole make doing day-to-day things a lot easier.
说到出去玩，我希望自动驾驶汽车能很快面世。我已经上驾驶课一年多了，但仍然没有拿到驾照。自动驾驶汽车可以学习与我们相同的驾驶模式，并且可以根据信息做出判断。而且由于它们不会受到人为错误的影响，肯定会安全得多。唯一的问题是，当第一批汽车上市时，可能会有一些机器学习问题，所以也许我最好先学会驾驶。不过，我确实认为，总体而言，人工智能的发展将使日常工作变得更加容易。
第5段
Popkid
小破孩儿
第6段
3. The technology you're using and enjoying today is a basic form of AI which can't think independently without programming. Of course, it could be very useful to have a more advanced form of AI — a truly independent form of artificial intelligence, capable of exercising its own judgement, could help us solve many of the world's problems. But have you ever thought about the risks? After all, why would an independent form of AI need to consider the opinions and desires of humans? We could be seen as a "small" inconvenience that's in the way of a solution to a bigger problem. If we're lucky, AI might think we're valuable enough to keep around. If not, it might wipe us all out!
你今天正在使用和享受的技术是人工智能的基本形式，没有程序它就无法独立思考。当然，拥有更先进的人工智能形式非常有用，这种更先进的人工智能形式是一种真正独立的人工智能形式，能够运用自己的判断力，可以帮助我们解决世界上的许多问题。但是你是否考虑过风险？毕竟，为什么独立的人工智能形式需要考虑人类的选择和欲望？我们可能会被视为解决更大问题道路上的一个"小麻烦"。如果幸运的话，人工智能可能会认为我们足够有价值，可以留下来。否则，它可能会扫清我们所有人！
第7段
4. Even if that doesn't happen, there are other risks. Millenniumbutterfly, you say how great it would be to have self-driving cars, but what about all the taxi drivers who would lose their jobs? They would just be among the first victims of AI. Nearly every job is potentially at risk in the long run. Even journalists are now being replaced with technology that can write basic news reports. As it is, almost 50 per cent of US jobs are at risk from automation in the next 20 years.
尽管还没有发生什么，但确实存在其他的风险。千禧蝶，你说拥有自动驾驶汽车会很棒，但出租车司机会失业这个问题呢？他们将会是人工智能的第一批受害者。长此以往，几乎所有工作都可能处于潜在危险之中。甚至现在的新闻工作者也正在被可以撰写简单的新闻报道的技术所取代。实际上，在未来20年中，美国有将近50％的工作会受到自动化的威胁。
第8段
5. The truth is that none of us is prepared for the challenges of AI.
事实上，我们中没有人做好了面对人工智能的挑战的准备。
第9段
Pink haze
粉红烟雾
第10段
6. Machine learning is something we have come to accept as a part of our modern world. I believe most of the value of AI lies in its capacity to analyse and interpret vast amounts of data, which means it can even solve problems that are too challenging for human experts.
机器学习作为现代世界的一部分，已经成为我们接受的东西。我认为人工智能的大部分价值在于它分析和解析庞大数据的能力，也就是说它甚至能够解决对于人类专家来说具有挑战性的问题。
第11段
7. But while super-intelligent AI could be the biggest leap forward in human history, if it goes wrong or falls into the wrong hands, it could also be the most dangerous. However, AI is not going to go away. We have no choice but to embrace it and regulate it. One thing I think we all agree on, though, is that saying "My AI did it" won't be any excuse for illegal or immoral behaviour!
虽然超智能AI可能是人类有史以来的最大飞跃，但如果出错或者落入坏人手中，它同时可能是最危险的。但是，人工智能不会消失。我们别无选择，只能接受它并加以规范。不过，我想大家都认可的一点就是，"这是我的AI做的！"这句话不会成为非法行为或不道德行为的任何借口。
二、重点单词
humanity n.：人类；人性。ever to happen to humanity
existence n.：存在；生存。the biggest threat to our existence
preference n.：偏好；喜好。learn more about my preferences
recommendation n.：推荐；建议。Every recommendation she gives me is great
susceptible adj.：易受影响的。won't be susceptible to human error
independently adv.：独立地。can't think independently without programming
inconvenience n.：不便；麻烦。a "small" inconvenience
victim n.：受害者。the first victims of AI
automation n.：自动化。jobs are at risk from automation
interpret v.：解释；解析。its capacity to analyse and interpret data
embrace v.：欣然接受；拥抱。We have no choice but to embrace it
regulate v.：规范；管理。embrace it and regulate it
immoral adj.：不道德的。illegal or immoral behaviour
leap n.：飞跃；跳跃。the biggest leap forward in human history
三、一词多义与熟词生义
built into 常见义"嵌入、装入"，课文 my own super-smart personal assistant built into my phone 中指"（软件）内置、预装于（手机中）"。
hit the market 常见商务短语，课文 when the first cars hit the market 意为"上市、投放市场"，hit 此处取"到达、进入"义。
available 常见义"可获得的、有空的"，课文 I'm hoping that self-driving cars are available soon 中指"（产品）可买到、能面世"。
wipe out 常见义"擦掉、清除（污迹）"，课文 it might wipe us all out 中引申为"彻底消灭、灭绝（人类）"，语气极强。
as it is 常见口语短语，课文 As it is, almost 50 per cent ... 中意为"实际上、事实上"，用于引出真实情况。
go away 常见义"离开"，课文 AI is not going to go away 中意为"（事物）消失、不复存在"，指 AI 不会被淘汰。
四、重点词块
in the words of 用……的话说
ever to happen to humanity 人类有史以来所发生的
Thanks to 多亏；由于
built into my phone 内置在我的手机中
put a question to sb. 向某人提问
in contrast 相比之下
speaking of 说到；谈及
be susceptible to 易受……影响
on the whole 总体而言；大体上
think independently 独立思考
in the way of 阻碍；妨碍
at risk 处于危险中
come to accept 逐渐接受
have no choice but to 别无选择只能……
fall into the wrong hands 落入坏人之手
五、长难句拆解
【原句 1】In the words of Professor Stephen Hawking, Artificial Intelligence will be "either the best, or the worst thing, ever to happen to humanity".
【主干】Artificial Intelligence will be "either the best, or the worst thing".
【分层】In the words of ... 为介词短语作状语；either ... or ... 连接并列表语；ever to happen to humanity 为不定式作后置定语修饰 thing，ever 强调"有史以来"。
【译文】用斯蒂芬·霍金教授的话说，人工智能将是"人类有史以来最好或最坏的事情"。
【考点】either ... or ... 并列；不定式作后置定语；介词短语作状语。
【原句 2】Self-driving cars can learn to drive in the same way that we do, and can make judgements based on information.
【主干】Self-driving cars can learn to drive, and can make judgements.
【分层】in the same way that we do 中 that 引导定语从句修饰 way（that = in which）；based on information 为过去分词短语作后置定语修饰 judgements。
【译文】自动驾驶汽车可以学习与我们相同的驾驶模式，并且可以根据信息做出判断。
【考点】the same ... that 定语从句；过去分词作后置定语；并列谓语。
【原句 3】The technology you're using and enjoying today is a basic form of AI which can't think independently without programming.
【主干】The technology is a basic form of AI.
【分层】you're using and enjoying today 为省略关系词的定语从句修饰 technology；which can't think ... 为非限制性/限制性定语从句修饰 AI；without programming 为介词短语作条件状语。
【译文】你今天正在使用和享受的技术是人工智能的基本形式，没有程序它就无法独立思考。
【考点】省略关系词的定语从句；which 定语从句；without 介词短语表条件。
【原句 4】We could be seen as a "small" inconvenience that's in the way of a solution to a bigger problem.
【主干】We could be seen as an inconvenience.
【分层】that's in the way of ... 为定语从句修饰 inconvenience；in the way of 意为"阻碍"；to a bigger problem 为介词短语作后置定语修饰 solution。
【译文】我们可能会被视为解决更大问题道路上的一个"小麻烦"。
【考点】be seen as 结构；that 定语从句；in the way of 短语。
【原句 5】But while super-intelligent AI could be the biggest leap forward in human history, if it goes wrong or falls into the wrong hands, it could also be the most dangerous.
【主干】while ... AI could be the biggest leap, ... it could also be the most dangerous.
【分层】while 引导让步状语从句（"尽管"）；if it goes wrong or falls into ... 为条件状语从句；主句 it could also be ... 与从句中的 could be 形成对照。
【译文】虽然超智能AI可能是人类有史以来的最大飞跃，但如果出错或者落入坏人手中，它同时可能是最危险的。
【考点】while 让步状语从句；if 条件状语从句；could 表推测。
六、语法点清单
1. 现在完成时（have done）
I've got my own ...；I've been taking ...；we have come to accept。表示过去发生并持续/影响至今。
2. 定语从句（that / which）
the same way that we do；AI which can't think ...；inconvenience that's in the way。注意 that/which 在从句中作主语或状语。
3. 让步/条件状语从句（while / if / even if）
while super-intelligent AI could be ...；if it goes wrong；Even if that doesn't happen。多层逻辑嵌套。
4. 情态动词表推测与建议
could be seen；might think；would be；I'd better learn。could/might 表可能，had better 表建议。
5. 被动语态（多种时态）
is built into；are being replaced；will be ... at risk；could be seen as。科技议论文中被动高频。
6. 并列与对比结构
either the best, or the worst；not we, but they；embrace it and regulate it。对比凸显议论文张力。
七、逻辑链
引子（第1段）：霍金名言抛出命题 → 论坛发问：AI 是成就还是威胁？
↓
乐观派 千禧蝶（第2—4段）：私人助手省时、自动驾驶更安全 → 总体让日常更轻松
↓
忧虑派 小破孩儿（第5—8段）：独立AI或视人类为"麻烦"而灭之；自动化夺就业 → 无人真正准备好
↓
理性派 粉红烟雾（第9—11段）：机器学习擅解析大数据；AI 不会消失，须接受并规范，不能为恶行开脱
这是一篇"论坛跟帖"式议论文：第1段设题；第2—4段代表乐观视角（便利与效率）；第5—8段代表风险视角（生存与就业）；第9—11段代表理性收束（价值+监管），形成"乐观—担忧—辩证"的三层讨论结构。
八、写作迁移
模板 1：In the words of ..., ... will be "either ... or ...".
课文：In the words of Professor Stephen Hawking, AI will be "either the best, or the worst thing ...".
仿写：In the words of the expert, the reform will be "either a breakthrough or a failure".（用专家的话说，这场改革"要么是突破，要么是失败"。）——用于引名言并列出两面。
模板 2：Thanks to ..., I've got ...
课文：Thanks to AI, I've got my own super-smart personal assistant.
仿写：Thanks to the Internet, we've got access to endless knowledge.（多亏互联网，我们得以接触无尽的知识。）——用于写某事物的积极效用。
模板 3：... won't be susceptible to ...
课文：as they won't be susceptible to human error, they'll certainly be a lot safer.
仿写：As machines won't be susceptible to fatigue, they can work around the clock.（由于机器不易疲劳，它们可以昼夜不停地工作。）——用于对比突出优势。
模板 4：We have no choice but to ...
课文：We have no choice but to embrace it and regulate it.
仿写：We have no choice but to face the challenge bravely.（我们别无选择，只能勇敢面对挑战。）——用于表达不得已而为之的必然。
模板 5：One thing ... we all agree on ... is that ... won't be any excuse for ...
课文：One thing I think we all agree on ... is that saying "My AI did it" won't be any excuse for illegal or immoral behaviour!
仿写：One thing we all agree on is that ignorance won't be any excuse for breaking the law.（我们都认同的一点是，无知不能成为违法的借口。）——用于收束强调责任。
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