B2 Reading Test – AI in Daily Life: Convenience vs Ethics

Read the text below and answer the multiple-choice questions.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming part of ordinary life, from voice assistants that set reminders to recommendation systems that choose what we watch, buy, or read. For many users, the main advantage is convenience: AI reduces small decisions, saves time, and can even personalize learning or fitness plans. In healthcare, algorithms help doctors read scans more quickly, and in transport, navigation apps predict traffic and suggest faster routes.

However, these benefits raise ethical questions. Recommendation engines may create “filter bubbles,” showing us only familiar opinions and limiting exposure to new ideas. Some hiring tools trained on past data may unfairly prefer certain candidates, repeating old biases. Privacy is another concern: AI often needs large datasets, including location, clicks, or voice recordings. Even anonymized data can sometimes be re-identified when combined with other sources.

Responsible use depends on design and oversight. Developers can audit datasets, explain how models make decisions, and allow people to opt out of tracking. Governments can require transparency reports and provide ways to challenge automated decisions. Users also play a role: adjusting privacy settings, checking sources before sharing content, and remembering that AI suggestions are recommendations—not orders. In short, AI can make daily life smoother, but its value is greatest when convenience is balanced with fairness, privacy, and human judgment.