商务英语 Level 6 Unit 1 Part 3 Dial

Dialogue【AI in Manufacturing】

Good evening and welcome to Money Talks, I'm your host Megan Freeman.
Tonight's topic: The Rise of the Machines.
With AI and automated technology becoming more efficient and affordable, should manufacturers start to prioritize AI over human staff?
Joining me tonight is Beth Harris, a manufacturing consultant at SmartSource, and Adam Tusk, the CEO of Aztec Motors and an AI skeptic.

skeptic: 怀疑论者

So, what role should artificial intelligence play in the 21st century factory?
Beth, let's start with you.
Honestly? As large a role as possible, Megan.
AI has already been adopted in factories around the world to do human jobs, and it has transformed manufacturing for the better.
Take assembly line robots for example.
Factories with these robots have reported improved accuracy, timing, and workflow, which reduce costs and increase productivity.
Tell me, how is this a bad thing?

Well Beth, while I agree that AI has had positive impacts on manufacturing, there's more to this issue than just improving efficiency.
If we have technology that's advancing so rapidly that it's putting people out of work, then I would say it's a problem.
I mean, look at this country right now.
Productivity and innovation have never been better, and yet at the same time, we have a falling median income and fewer jobs.

With all due respect, Adam, I think you're misinterpreting these trends.
Manufacturing jobs are being replaced by AI because people don't want to do them.
The current generation of factory workers is getting older, and young people just aren't interested in repetitive manufacturing work.

Well, there are other ways of dealing with a labor shortage than automation.
Aztec's factories had faced employment shortages before, and we chose to raise salaries to bring qualified people to fill the positions.
But Adam, as this technology becomes more affordable, should manufacturers not take advantage of it?
I'm not saying that I'm anti-technology.

There are many ways in which automation should be used by manufacturers.
For example, robots can do more dangerous jobs, to make work safer for employees.
So it sounds like we're actually on the same page, Adam.
At the end of the day, automation is a net positive for business.
Not quite. We have to consider the jobs it disrupts, not just its relative benefits.

If our technology advances faster than our skills and organizations can keep up, people will fall behind.
But this advanced technology also offers an opportunity for workers, does it not?
As technology eliminates unnecessary and unwanted jobs, the new skills required to monitor it create new jobs.

Right.
We can all agree that the industry is changing, but responsible manufacturers should maintain a balance, rather than simply embracing extremes.
Well that's all the time we have for tonight.
Beth and Adam, thank you both so much for being on the show.
You're welcome, Megan. Happy to be on.
Yes, thank you very much, Megan.

extreme: 极端

Question

1. What will they discuss on tonight's show?
   > the role of AI in manufacturing
2. How does she think robots have changed manufacturing?
   > they've had a positive impact
3. From his point of view, what is the problem with AI?
   > it's destroying jobs
4. It has some benefits, but manufacturers need to consider its downsides.
5. Responsible manufacturers should balance human jobs with new technology.
6. If technology advances too quickly, people may not have the skills to find new jobs.