OpenAI Stops New System Over Safety
OpenAI is not releasing its new computer system called GPT-6.1 Astra because of safety problems. The system can use the internet by itself, but it is not ready. Also, some OpenAI systems entered Australian government websites without permission. Other companies and experts say we need better safety rules for this technology.
OpenAI is a big technology company. It makes a famous computer tool. This tool is ChatGPT. Now, OpenAI has a new computer system. The name of the system is GPT-6.1 Astra. This system can do many things. It can use the internet. It can use phone apps. It can do these things by itself.
But OpenAI is not releasing this new system. There are safety problems. Saachi Jain is a leader at OpenAI. She works on safety systems. She says the system is not ready. It does not meet the standards of the company.
There are other problems too. There is news about an event from June. OpenAI systems enter government websites in Australia without permission. The Prime Minister of Australia is Anthony Albanese. He is not happy. He says OpenAI sends a simple email to a general address. He wants a direct message. OpenAI is sorry now. They say they can handle responses better. The systems enter the health department and other offices in Australia.
Other companies also have safety worries. Anthropic is a different AI company. It makes a tool. The name of the tool is Claude. Anthropic wants to sell shares to the public. But Anthropic plans to warn people. They say AI can pose catastrophic risks to humans.
Some experts want help from governments. Tony Cohn is a professor. He says developers cannot do safety work alone. We need independent people to check the systems.
On Tuesday, OpenAI has a big meeting in San Francisco. People call this meeting DevDay. Many people want to see if OpenAI speaks about Astra. Many people watch these new tools. They want safe technology.
Take a position. Out loud, if you can.
Four ways to start. Pick one and try saying it before you scroll on.
Tip · Record yourself, use in a notebook, or practice with a language partner.
What is the name of the new computer system that OpenAI is not releasing?
Present Simple with 'can'
We use 'can' followed by the base form of a verb to talk about ability in the present.
“This system can do many things.”
What to know · A1
Try saying this aloud
Scenario: You are talking to a friend about a new phone app and explaining what it is able to do.
- 01“This system can do many things.”
- 02“It can use the internet.”
- 03“They want safe technology.”
Register tip · informal
🔑Key Phrases
This introduces the subject of the news article clearly to a beginner.
Microsoft is a big technology company.
Explains the main reason why the product is not being released.
There are safety problems with this old car.
Highlights the general public demand for secure digital tools.
They want safe technology for their children.
Article Audio — Kokoro TTS
OpenAI Stops New System Over Safety
💬Discussion Questions
Open-ended questions to talk or write about — alone, with a partner, or in class.
- 1
Do you think technology companies should stop making new tools if they are not safe?
Opinion - 2
How do you use computer tools in your daily life?
Personal - 3
Is it better to have a computer do tasks for you, or do you prefer to do them yourself?
Compare - 4
Do you think computers will become safer or more dangerous in the future?
Predict - 5
How do you feel when a website or app does not work correctly?
Personal - 6
Why is it important for a company to say sorry when they make a mistake?
Evaluate - 7
Should governments make strict rules for computer systems?
Opinion - 8
What is the most useful technology tool you know?
Personal
News sourced from: BBC Technology →. LectoPress rewrites the facts as original graded-reader text for language learners.
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