20240627 经济学人| Siri with Generative AI 苹果将把AI融入到Siri中| 科技英语

Hey guys! It's June 26th, 2024. Today we are going to talk about Siri. Siri is the virtual assistant of Apple products. It was a great hit when it first came out. However, it hasn’t been updated for years and people start to complain about its function - particularly in comparison to AI. But a few weeks ago Apple announced that they are going to release the updated version soon. Let’s find out more from the news.

Hey Siri, are you finally getting an upgrade? 你好Siri，终于更新了吗？

Upgrade: v/n. （机器、计算机系统等）升级；提高；改进

V. 提高（设施、服务等的）档次；改善；使升格

他的家人从经济舱升到了商务舱。

【逐段解析】

When Apple first unveiled Siri, the virtual assistant was a breakthrough. Over a decade later, it has become more frustrating than fascinating. But from Monday through to Friday, an upgraded Siri will take centre stage at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference. The event looks likely to be the most significant for several years.

当苹果首次推出Siri时，这个虚拟助手是一项重要突破。十多年后，它更多是令人失望、而非令人相当兴奋的产品。但从周一到周五，升级版的Siri将成为苹果年度全球开发者大会的中心舞台。这次会议可能是几年来最重要的一次。

Unveil: v. （首次）展示，介绍，推出；将…公之于众 SYN introduce, reveal.

他们将在汽车大展上首次推出自己的新型汽车。

Veil: n. 面纱，面罩; 掩饰；掩盖

新娘的面纱

他们的工作是在秘密掩护下进行的。

Breakthrough: n. 重大进展；突破 (to make/achieve a ~)

Break through: If you break through, you achieve success even though there are difficulties and obstacles. (克服困难和障碍而) 获得成功

< There is still scope for new writers to break through.> 新作家们还有取得成功的空间。

Frustrating/fascinating (形容物）; frustrated/fascinated 形容人（的感受等）

Take/occupy centre stage: 成为/占据关注的中心

这个地区继续在国际舞台上占主导地位。

Be/look likely to: 可能是；看起来可能是

这场婚礼看上去是相当传统的。

Siri’s overhaul will see it powered by generative AI. The integration of large language models will help the assistant handle complex requests and quick back-and-forth dialogue—rather than the stilted conversations users are accustomed to. Apple will also introduce generative AI into web browsing, emoji creation and more in its operating-system updates.

Siri的革新将由生成式人工智能提供动力。大型语言模型的集成将帮助Siri助手处理复杂的请求和快速的来回对话，而不是用户习惯的生硬对话。苹果还将在其操作系统更新中，将生成式人工智能引入网页浏览、表情符号创作等领域。

Overhaul: [ /ˈəʊvəhɔːl/ ] n. 检修；大修

全面╱大检修

Power: v. 为…提供动力、支持

这架飞机由喷气发动机驱动。

Generative AI: 生成式人工智能

large language models: 大语言模型

Back-and-forth: adj. 反复的, 一来一回的

来回互动的对话

Stilted: [ /ˈstɪltɪd/ ] adj. ( of a way of speaking or writing言谈或写作 ) 生硬的；不自然的

我们不自然地客套了几句。

Be accustomed to sth: 对...习惯

我习惯了作为惟一的孩子坐在满是成年人的桌旁。

Accustom oneself/sb to sth: 使习惯于

他过了一段时间才习惯这个想法。

This suite of new features is part of Apple’s broader foray into AI, a lucrative field in which it has lagged behind its competitors. Investors are optimistic. Ahead of the event Apple’s share price has climbed to its highest since last December after falling by as much as 15% earlier this year.

这一系列新功能是苹果进军人工智能领域的一部分。在这个利润丰厚的领域，苹果一直落后于竞争对手。投资者持乐观态度。在发布会之前，苹果的股价在今年早些时候下跌了15%之后，已经攀升至去年12月以来的最高点。

Suite: n. a set of related computer programs套；套装软件

一套软件开发工具

N. 一套房间，套房

旅馆╱私人╱蜜月套房

一套房间；办公套房

Foray: [ /ˈfɒreɪ/ ] n. an attempt to become involved in a different activity or profession（改变职业、活动的）尝试 SYN attempt.

该公司的初次涉足计算机市场

Lucrative: [ /ˈluːkrətɪv/ ] adj. 赚大钱的；获利多的

利润丰厚的生意╱合同╱市场

Lag behind: 缓慢移动；发展缓慢；滞后；落后于

我们在运用现代技术方面仍然远远落后于我们的许多竞争对手。