Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- navigation / ˌnæv ɪˈgeɪ ʃən / (n.) – the act of planning and following a route to get from one place to another, especially by using maps or technology
Example:Before maps and modern technology, people in ancient times used stars for navigation.
- rigorous / ˈrɪg ər əs / (adj.) – very strict or difficult
Example:The job interview process includes a rigorous test to check applicants’ problem-solving skills.
- replicate / ˈrɛp lɪˌkeɪt / (v.) – to repeat or make an exact copy of something
Example:The scientists are trying to replicate the experiment to confirm the results.
- expertise / ˌɛk spərˈtiz / (n.) – a high level of skill or ability
Example:The company needs someone with expertise in AI and computer programming to fix the problem in the new computer system.
- prioritize / praɪˈɔr ɪˌtaɪz / (v.) – to decide that something is more important than other things and do it first
Example:He always prioritizes important tasks in the morning when he has the most energy, and then does easy tasks in the afternoon.
Article
Read the text below.
Analyzing the brains of London’s taxi drivers could be key to improving AI navigation systems and Alzheimer’s research, scientists say. University College London (UCL) researchers have found that London taxi drivers develop a larger posterior hippocampus (the part of the brain responsible for memory and navigation) due to years of training.
Each driver must pass a rigorous exam known as ‘The Knowledge’, memorizing over 26,000 streets to navigate the city efficiently.
Unlike app-based navigation systems, taxi drivers don’t rely on satnavs. Instead, they use years of training and experience to plan the best possible routes in real-time.
Now, researchers believe their unique approach to route planning could inform the development of artificial intelligence, and further research into Alzheimer’s disease.
For Marc Manning, driving a taxi in London is more than just a job; it’s a skill that has taken him years to master. “I love my job. 25 years and I still love it. Very proud of it. Very proud of the fact that, you know, I’m one of a very small number that can actually do The Knowledge.”
He says London’s taxi drivers rely on a deep understanding of the city’s streets, something which no satnav can fully replicate.
Now, scientists are studying how this expertise in route planning could help improve AI.
Hugo Spiers, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL says, “In this study, we asked London taxi drivers to plan routes through the city, saying each street out loud as they worked it out. Sometimes they were very quick, sometimes much slower. We used models to understand why—and found that the layout of London’s streets plays a major role. It shows just how efficient these taxi drivers are, and it gives us new insights into human navigation. That knowledge could help us develop better AI systems in the future.”
Unlike satnavs, which calculate multiple routes before choosing one, taxi drivers prioritize the most complex parts of the journey first, and then work around them.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- What are the potential risks of relying too much on satnav systems? Have you ever experienced a situation where following a satnav led to problems or inconveniences? Do you think relying on satnavs has weakened people’s natural sense of direction? Why or why not? Discuss.
- What advantages do human drivers have over satnavs? Do you think AI could fully replicate the decision-making process of experienced taxi drivers? Why or why not? Discuss.
Discussion B
- Taxi drivers use years of experience to plan the best routes, while AI calculates them instantly. Do you trust human judgment or technology more when it comes to making important decisions? Why do you say so? Discuss.
- AI can think fast, but humans have experiences and feelings. Do you think AI will ever be as good as humans at making decisions in unpredictable situations? Can you give examples in which human judgment is better than AI? Discuss.
