A
We’ve heard of robots and AI(Artificial Intelligence)taking human jobs, but I bet mayors(市长)don’t really think their jobs can be threatened any time soon. They were wrong, and the AI running for the mayor of a Tokyo district was clear proof of that.
AI can’t legally run for high-ranking public management positions yet, but one mayoral candidate from Tama City, Tokyo, intended to maximize the use of Artificial Intelligence in running city affairs. He was running his campaign (竞选运动) as “AI Mayor”. Basically, he was suggesting replacing human public officials with AI and having them collect city data and create fair and balanced policies that will benefit everyone.
“For the first time in the world, AI will run in an election, ” human candidate Michihito Matsuda announced on Twitter. “Artificial Intelligence will change Toma City. With the birth of an AI Mayor, we will conduct balanced policies. ”
The AI Mayor was campaigning very much like its human competitors. Posters were shown all over Tama City and campaign trucks were blaring out(大声鸣响)promises of an AI utopia (乌托邦)and asking for support.
Some people called Michihito Matsuda’s campaign a stunt (噱头), as a human would still be the one legally in charge. However, others said that they were excited about the future of AI running things in the background, adding that it had to be a better choice.
【文章大意】本文为科技类阅读。我们听说过机器人和人工智能取代了人类的部分工作, 可是它们竟然参与竞选东京某区的市长, 这让人们唏嘘不已。
1. What’s the advantage of the AI mayor according to Michihito Matsuda?
A. Maximizing the use of AI.
B. Replacing human officials.
C. Creating balanced policies.
D. Bringing him beneficial effects.
【解析】选C。细节理解题。根据第二段最后一句Basically, he was suggesting replacing human public officials with AI and having them collect city data and create fair and balanced policies that will benefit everyone. 以及第三段内容可知, 人工智能市长的优势在于收集城市数据, 制定公平、平衡的政策, 让每个人都受益, 这在世界上是首例, 也是它的优势。故选C。
2. How will AI run for the mayor?
A. It will abolish many old policies.
B. It will ask for support on the Internet.
C. It will make public speeches, dressed like a human.
D. It will compete similarly to human competitors.
【解析】选D。细节理解题。根据第四段The AI Mayor was campaigning very much like its human competitors. Posters were shown all over Tama City and campaign trucks were blaring out promises of an AI utopia and asking for support. 可知, 人工智能市长的竞选活动的方式和人类竞争对手非常像, 故选D。
3. What’s the citizens’ attitude towards Michihito Matsuda’s campaign?
A. They believe AI will win.
B. All consider it to be tricky.
C. It is supposed to be a failure definitely.
D. Some think it’s worthy of expectation.
【解析】选D。推理判断题。根据最后一段最后一句However, others said that they were excited about the future of AI running things in the background, adding that it had to be a better choice. 可知, 有人认为AI当选市长必定是个更好的选择, 这是值得期待的, 故选D。
4. What is the best title for the passage?
A. AI Runs for the Mayor
B. The Advantages of AI
C. AI Replaces Human in Management
D. The Patterns of AI Management
【解析】选A。标题拟定题。根据上下文可知, 本文主要讲述人工智能参与竞选某市市长的职位, 故选A。
【知识拓展】佳词积累
1. hear of 听说
2. artificial intelligence 人工智能
3. management positions 管理岗位
4. balanced policies 均衡政策
5. blare out 大声鸣响
6. in charge 掌管
