Casa · B2 Upper Intermediate · Lesson 10 of 20 · Step 1

Artificial Intelligence

Hedging & Speculation

Use hedging language to express caution and uncertainty in academic and professional contexts
Employ speculative structures: tend to, appear to, seem to, it could be argued that
Discuss the impact and ethics of artificial intelligence using measured, nuanced language

Words · tap a card to see it used

Grammar

Hedging and speculation

Hedging language softens claims and expresses degrees of certainty, which is essential in academic, scientific, and professional discourse. Verb-based hedging: 'tend to' (general tendency), 'appear to / seem to' (based on evidence but not certain), 'suggest' (evidence indicates). Modal hedging: 'could / may / might + infinitive' (possibility), 'would appear to' (tentative conclusion). Phrase-based hedging: 'It could be argued that...', 'Arguably,...', 'To some extent,...', 'There is reason to believe that...', 'It is possible that...'. Use hedging to avoid overgeneralisation and to acknowledge the limits of your knowledge.

AI systems tend to perform well on tasks with clearly defined parameters.

The data appears to suggest that automation will affect lower-skilled jobs disproportionately.

It could be argued that the benefits of AI outweigh the risks, but this remains contentious.

Arguably, the greatest challenge is not building intelligent systems but ensuring they are used responsibly.

Exercises · type, then check

1. Rewrite each strong claim using the hedging expression in brackets to make it more measured.

1.AI will replace most jobs. → AI many jobs in certain sectors. (tend to / could)

2.Algorithms are biased. → Algorithms biased in certain contexts. (appear to)

3.Social media is harmful to mental health. → social media has a negative impact on mental health. (It could be argued that)

4.Automation always increases inequality. → Automation increase inequality in some cases. (tend to)

5.AI cannot be creative. → AI limited in its capacity for genuine creativity. (would appear to be)

2. Choose the most appropriate hedging expression for each academic context.

1. The evidence ___ that early exposure to AI tools improves learning outcomes.

2. ___, the regulation of AI is more important than its development.

3. Facial recognition technology ___ produce less accurate results for certain demographic groups.

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Reading

The Promise and Peril of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence appears to be transforming virtually every sector of the economy, from healthcare to finance. Proponents tend to emphasise the potential for AI to solve problems that humans cannot — such as analysing vast datasets to identify patterns in disease or predicting natural disasters with greater accuracy. However, it could be argued that the technology also poses significant risks. AI systems seem to inherit and amplify the biases present in their training data, which can lead to discriminatory outcomes in areas such as hiring, lending, and law enforcement. Arguably, the most pressing concern is the lack of transparency in how AI systems reach their decisions. When an algorithm denies someone a loan or a job, the affected individual may have no way of understanding why. There is reason to believe that without robust regulatory frameworks, these problems will only intensify. To some extent, the debate mirrors earlier concerns about industrialisation: the technology itself is neither good nor bad, but the way it is deployed determines its impact on society.

1. According to the passage, what is arguably the most pressing concern about AI?

2. How does the passage compare the AI debate to earlier historical concerns?

Speaking · say it out loud, with a partner or alone

1Discuss: 'It could be argued that AI will ultimately benefit society more than it harms it.' Do you agree? Use hedging language throughout your discussion to present a balanced, nuanced view.

2Debate: Should AI systems be granted any form of legal personhood or accountability? Use expressions like 'It seems that...', 'There is reason to believe...', and 'Arguably...' to soften strong claims.

Writing

Write 5–8 sentences giving your opinion on the role of AI in education or the workplace. Use at least four different hedging expressions to present your ideas in a measured, academic tone.

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