France will stop using US software like Microsoft Teams and Zoom
Listen to the story (Canadian accent)
France will stop using American software. They will not use Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
Instead, France has a new tool. It is called Visio. This tool is made in France. All government workers must use it by 2027.
France wants to be independent. They do not want to use tools from the United States or other countries. This helps France protect its data. It keeps government information private. France started to test Visio one year ago. About 40,000 people use it now. The tool is only for government workers.
Visio uses AI technology from a French company. This technology writes down what people say. The data stays on French computers. This makes the system very safe.
The government also wants to save money. Visio is cheaper than American software. France can save 1 million euros for every 100,000 users.
Last year, some American software had big problems. France wants to avoid these problems. This new plan helps France control its own future. The country feels safer with its own tools.
Vocabulary22 words
- Software
- computer programs; apps; instructions for a computer or phone
- Instead
- in place of something; as an alternative; doing one thing and not another
- Tool
- something you use to do a job; equipment; an instrument to help you 🛠️
- Called
- named; having the name of something
- Government
- the group of people who lead a country; the rulers of a nation; the state 🏛️
- Independent
- free; not controlled by others; doing things by yourself
- The United States
- a large country in North America; the USA; America 🇺🇸
- Protect
- to keep safe; to guard; to stop someone from hurting something 🛡️
- Data
- information; facts; details stored on a computer 📊
- Keep
- to hold on to something; to not lose or give away; to stay in a certain way
- Private
- secret; only for one person or group; not for everyone to see 🔒
- Test
- to try something; to check if something works; an experiment
- AI technology (artificial intelligence)
- smart computers; machines that think like people; artificial intelligence
- System
- a set of parts working together; a process; a machine or computer network
- Save money
- to keep money; to spend less; to not waste cash
- Million
- one million = 1,000,000;
- Euro
- €; money used in many European countries; the currency of France 💶
- User
- a person who uses a program or tool; a customer
- Avoid
- to stay away from; to stop something from happening; to try not to use
- Plan
- a list of steps to do something; an idea for the future; a map for work 📝
- Control
- to have power over; to lead; to be the boss of something
- Future
- the time that has not happened yet; what comes next; later ⏳
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
France _____ stop using American software. They will _____ use Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
Instead, France _____ a new tool. It is called Visio. This _____ is made in France. All government workers _____ use it by 2027.
France wants to be independent. _____ do not want to use tools from the United States or other _____. This helps France _____ its data. It keeps government information private. _____ started to test Visio one year ago. About _____ people use it now. The tool is only for government _____.
Visio uses AI technology _____ a French company. This technology writes down _____ people say. The data stays on French computers. _____ makes the system very safe.
The _____ also wants to save money. Visio is cheaper than American _____. France can save 1 million euros for every _____ users.
Last year, some American _____ had big problems. France wants to avoid _____ problems. This new plan helps France _____ its own future. The country feels safer with _____ own tools.
Discussion questions
- Is it a good idea for a country to use its own software? Why or why not?
- Do you use Zoom or Microsoft Teams? Which computer tools do you like to use for school or work?
- Is it important for a government to keep its information private? Why is safety important for a country?
- Do you think AI technology is good for meetings? Is it helpful when a computer writes down what people say?
- Is saving money the most important thing for a government? What other things should a government spend money on?
- Would you like to use a tool like Visio? Why would you choose a new tool instead of a famous tool?
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