©Foxconn
Pre-reading questions:
- What comes to mind when you hear the term “artificial intelligence” (AI)? Share any initial thoughts or ideas you have, even if you’re not sure what it means.
- How do you think machines or computers can be “intelligent” or make decisions on their own? What do you imagine when you hear about machines that can think and learn like humans?
Vocabulary:
- data /DEY-tuh/
- export /ik-SPAWRT/
- diverse /dih-VURS/
- conventional /kuhn-VEN-shuh-nl/
- consumer /kuhn-SOO-mer /
[noun] – information, especially facts or numbers, collected to be examined and considered and used to help decision-making, or information in an electronic form that can be stored and used by a computer
The data collected from various experiments provided valuable insights for the research project.
[verb] – To send goods, products, or items from one country to another for the purpose of use or trade in foreign markets
The company decided to export its products to international markets to increase its global reach.
[adjective] – including many different types of people or things
The school’s student body is diverse, representing students from different countries and cultural backgrounds.
[adjective] – traditional and ordinary
Her wedding followed a conventional format, with a ceremony in the church and a reception at a banquet hall.
[adjective] – relating to or associated with products and devices that are intended for personal or household use by individuals or end-users
Consumer preferences play a significant role in shaping the products and services offered on the market.
Article reading:
For Foxconn, traditionally known for assembling iPhones, this marks a bold entry into the booming electric vehicle (EV) sector. Unlike conventional car manufacturers, Foxconn plans to become a global hub for EV manufacturing, serving both local and international markets. This shift from smartphones to EVs is seen as a logical move due to the saturation of the smartphone market. Foxconn aims to play a significant role in the global EV industry, producing a substantial number of electric cars worldwide. To achieve this, the company is not only hiring experienced executives but also collaborating with automotive experts, leveraging its background in consumer electronics for innovative EV production.
Comprehension questions
- What kind of partnership did Nvidia and Foxconn enter into, and what are the main goals of this partnership?
- What is the primary focus of the “AI factories” that are being established in this collaboration?
- Why has the partnership between Nvidia and Foxconn gained increased significance, according to the article?
- How is Foxconn shifting its role in the tech industry, and what specific area is it focusing on?
- How does Foxconn plan to distinguish itself from conventional car manufacturers in the electric vehicle sector, and what background does it leverage for this purpose?
Discussion questions
- Have you ever encountered products made by Foxconn, such as iPhones, in your daily life, and if yes, how do you perceive their quality and significance? If not, can you think of other companies whose products you often use, and do you ever wonder about their manufacturing processes and locations?
- Are you familiar with the idea of electric vehicles (EVs) and their impact on the automotive industry? If yes, what aspects of EVs or their development interest you the most? If not, can you envision the potential benefits of EVs for the environment and transportation?
- Do you believe that partnerships between tech companies, like the one between Nvidia and Foxconn, are important for technological advancement?
- How might restrictions on exporting AI chips impact the global tech industry and the companies involved, like Nvidia and Foxconn?
- Do you think it’s a wise decision for Foxconn to transition from smartphone assembly to the electric vehicle sector, given the saturation of the smartphone market? What challenges and opportunities do you foresee in this transition?