Machines in the judge's chair: debating algorithmic decisions
Two panellists clash over algorithms deciding loans, hiring and bail; students then hold a formal debate using concession and rebuttal.
C2Adults60 minDebate
About this lesson
A C2 speaking lesson (debate). Warm-ups, role plays and discussion tasks — get the whole class talking.
- Level
- C2
- Skill
- Speaking
- Type
- Debate
- Students
- Adults
- Time
- About 60 minutes
- Topic
- Technology
- Activities
- Key words, Speaking / writing task, Reading text, Multiple choice, Gap-fill
- Key words
- I'll grant you that…, With respect, that rather misses the point, That cuts both ways, You're conflating two things, The burden of proof lies with…, Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater, Where do you draw the line?, a rubber stamp
- Access
- Premium
By the end, students can
- Build and rebut arguments on algorithms making high-stakes decisions about people
- Concede, rebut and challenge with precise, idiomatic debate language