Artificial Intelligence IELTS Reading Answers with Explanations

The Artificial Intelligence IELTS Reading passage examines public expectations surrounding AI and questions whether artificial intelligence can solve complicated governmental, medical and legal problems.

It discusses:

• AI solutionism
• Government AI strategies
• Data infrastructure
• Machine-learning security
• AI in medicine
• Algorithmic discrimination
• Ethical concerns about artificial intelligence

Complete Questions 27–40 before checking the answers.

Artificial Intelligence Reading Passage

In many Western countries, anxiety about the future of artificial intelligence is widespread.

There is no shortage of dramatic claims suggesting that AI will cure diseases, accelerate innovation and improve human creativity.

Media headlines may make people believe that society is already living in a future where artificial intelligence influences every aspect of life.

Although AI has created several valuable opportunities, it has also encouraged a mindset known as AI solutionism.

AI solutionism is the belief that almost any problem can be solved when sufficient data, machine-learning algorithms and artificial intelligence are available.

However, this way of thinking may cause people to underestimate the importance of specialised knowledge and professional experience.

It can also create unrealistic expectations about what AI can achieve.

AI solutionism has influenced major technology companies and governments around the world.

Many politicians now announce national AI initiatives and promise that their countries will become leaders in the machine-learning industry.

However, politicians often fail to understand the difficulty of introducing advanced AI systems into real organisations.

Neural networks are among the most promising types of artificial intelligence.

They are loosely based on the structure of the human brain, although they function on a much smaller scale.

Simply adding a neural network to an organisation does not automatically produce a solution.

Similarly, introducing a neural network into a government system does not guarantee that the system will become fairer or more inclusive.

Artificial intelligence requires large amounts of data.

However, many public-sector organisations do not have the infrastructure required to collect, store and process this information.

Important data may be stored in separate digital archives.

Even when a data scientist is employed, individual departments may have different permission requirements before the information can be accessed.

The most significant problem is that many public-sector organisations lack employees with the technological expertise required to take full advantage of artificial intelligence.

Exaggerated claims about AI have attracted criticism from several researchers.

Stuart Russell, a computer science professor at the University of California, Berkeley, supports a realistic approach that focuses on everyday uses of artificial intelligence.

He believes discussions should focus less on hypothetical takeovers by super-intelligent machines and more on practical applications.

Rodney Brooks, a robotics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, argues that developments in robotics and AI generally take much longer to become widely available than people expect.

Another difficulty is that machine-learning systems are vulnerable to attacks.

A malicious system may target another AI system and influence its behaviour.

Attackers may also manipulate or corrupt the information used by AI programmes.

Researchers have warned against introducing artificial intelligence without proper security standards.

However, AI security is often considered only after a system has already been developed.

To gain the benefits of AI while reducing its harmful effects, society must think carefully about how artificial intelligence should be used in daily life.

This requires understanding people’s concerns, fears and distrust.

Recognising these concerns can help organisations create AI systems that are useful, ethical and practical.

It is also important to understand that artificial intelligence cannot solve every problem.

People must separate the actual capabilities of current technology from unrealistic fictional expectations.

The medical profession has also encountered problems with AI.

IBM Watson for Oncology was designed to help doctors make cancer-treatment decisions.

However, medical experts had difficulty trusting its recommendations, and the programme was discontinued in most of the hospitals where it had been tested.

Similar problems occurred in the legal profession.

Algorithms were used in courts in the United States to calculate risk assessments and advise judges on sentencing decisions.

However, researchers found that the systems reflected and increased existing structural racial discrimination.

These examples provide important lessons.

Artificial intelligence is often presented as a solution to almost every problem, but using AI without a genuine need does not guarantee a positive result.

AI should be introduced only when it is suitable for the problem and when organisations understand its purpose, limitations and possible consequences.

Questions 27–29: Multiple Choice

27. What is the writer doing in the first paragraph?

A. Predicting the future influence of AI
B. Describing a public perception of AI
C. Listing the possible benefits of AI
D. Demonstrating the current influence of AI

28. When discussing AI solutionism, the writer:

A. Points out a risk involved
B. Explains where it originated
C. Identifies its main supporters
D. Compares its advantages and disadvantages

29. The writer suggests that many politicians may:

A. Underestimate the potential of AI projects
B. Misunderstand the machine-learning industry
C. Be unaware of the difficulties of implementing AI initiatives
D. Be too eager to dominate the AI industry

Questions 30–35: Summary Completion

Complete the summary using the correct options, A–I, from the answer list supplied with the test.

Neural networks are a promising area of AI technology for governments.

However, politicians may overestimate their capabilities and believe that adding a neural network will automatically produce solutions and promote 30. ______.

Most public-sector organisations lack the necessary 31. ______ to manage the large amount of data required by AI.

Bureaucracy creates another problem because individuals need 32. ______ to access information stored in different departments.

The main problem is that few public-sector employees have the 33. ______ needed to use machine intelligence effectively.

Medical professionals experimented with an AI programme but had little confidence in its 34. ______, so it was abandoned.

US courts also stopped using certain algorithms when the systems were found to increase existing 35. ______ within the legal profession.

Questions 36–39: Yes, No or Not Given

Write:

• YES if the statement agrees with the writer
• NO if the statement contradicts the writer
• NOT GIVEN if the writer’s opinion is not stated

36. Stuart Russell’s proposals for using AI are impractical.
37. Rodney Brooks has received unfair criticism from supporters of AI.
38. The need to protect AI systems is always considered when they are created.
39. To benefit from AI and minimise its harms, society must explore people’s concerns about its use.

Question 40: Multiple Choice

What is the most suitable subtitle for the passage?

A. How to make the most of artificial intelligence
B. Why AI may not be the answer to our problems
C. Why governments should avoid investing in AI
D. How AI could improve public-sector efficiency

Artificial Intelligence IELTS Reading Answers

Answer Explanations

27. B

The opening paragraph describes how the public and media commonly view artificial intelligence.

28. A

The writer highlights the risk of assuming that AI can solve every problem.

29. C

Politicians may not understand the practical difficulties involved in implementing national AI systems.

30. F

The correct option refers to the belief that neural networks will promote fairness or inclusion.

31. G

Public organisations often lack the required data infrastructure.

32. I

Different departments may require separate permissions before information can be accessed.

33. C

The passage highlights a shortage of technological skills and expertise.

34. A

Medical professionals did not trust the programme’s recommendations.

35. D

The legal algorithms increased existing structural racial discrimination.

36. NO

The writer presents Stuart Russell’s approach as realistic and practical.

37. NOT GIVEN

Rodney Brooks’ opinion is mentioned, but no information is provided about criticism directed towards him.

38. NO

The passage says that AI security is often considered only after a system has been developed.

39. YES

The writer states that society must understand people’s concerns, fears and distrust.

40. B

The passage mainly explains why artificial intelligence should not be considered an automatic solution to every problem.

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