Lesson 18: Technology & Innovation
Discuss technology and innovation using 利用 + tech + V and vocabulary for AI, big data, and the internet at B1 level.
Overview
Technology is a central topic in contemporary Chinese society, politics, and everyday life. China is both a massive consumer and producer of digital technology, so tech vocabulary appears everywhere from news and policy documents to casual conversation. The key grammar pattern in this lesson is 利用 + [technology] + Verb: "using X to do Y." This differs from 用 (to use casually) and 通过 (through the means of) in that 利用 implies leveraging something to your advantage, often with strategic intent. At B1 level you should be able to discuss both the benefits and risks of technology in structured, nuanced sentences.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss artificial intelligence, big data, the internet, and innovation using accurate vocabulary.
- Use 利用 + technology + Verb to describe strategic application of technology.
- Contrast 利用, 用, and 通过 in technology contexts.
- Discuss the social impact of technology in paragraph-length text.
Vocabulary
| Character | Pinyin | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 创新 | chuàngxīn | v/n | to innovate; innovation | 技术创新 |
| 人工智能 | réngōng zhìnéng | n | artificial intelligence (AI) | 人工智能应用 |
| 大数据 | dà shùjù | n | big data | 大数据分析 |
| 互联网 | hùliánwǎng | n | internet | 互联网平台 |
| 科技 | kējì | n | science and technology | 高科技产品 |
| 发明 | fāmíng | v/n | to invent; invention | 技术发明 |
| 平台 | píngtái | n | platform | 电商平台 |
| 数字化 | shùzìhuà | v/adj | to digitize; digital | 数字化转型 |
| 算法 | suànfǎ | n | algorithm | 推荐算法 |
| 隐私 | yǐnsī | n | privacy | 保护隐私 |
| 依赖 | yīlài | v/n | to rely on; dependence | 过度依赖 |
| 效率 | xiàolǜ | n | efficiency | 提高效率 |
| 普及 | pǔjí | v | to spread, popularize | 技术普及 |
| 风险 | fēngxiǎn | n | risk | 面临风险 |
Grammar Focus
Pattern 1: 利用 + Technology + Verb
Structure: Subject + 利用 + [technology/resource NP] + VP (achieve something)
利用 means to make use of something, often strategically. In technology contexts it implies purposeful application. It is stronger than 用 (use) and focuses on leveraging a resource to accomplish a goal.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 医生可以利用人工智能辅助诊断疾病。 | Yīshēng kěyǐ lìyòng réngōng zhìnéng fǔzhù zhěnduàn jíbìng. | Doctors can use artificial intelligence to assist in diagnosing diseases. |
| 企业利用大数据分析消费者行为，制定更精准的营销策略。 | Qǐyè lìyòng dà shùjù fēnxī xiāofèizhě xíngwéi, zhìdìng gèng jīngzhǔn de yíngxiāo cèlüè. | Enterprises use big data to analyze consumer behavior and develop more precise marketing strategies. |
| 学生可以利用互联网获取全球各地的学习资源。 | Xuésheng kěyǐ lìyòng hùliánwǎng huòqǔ quánqiú gè dì de xuéxí zīyuán. | Students can use the internet to access learning resources from around the world. |
Contrast: 用手机查信息 (use a phone to look up information) is neutral and describes a simple tool use. 利用大数据分析市场 implies strategic analysis with intent to gain an advantage. 利用 elevates the sense of purposeful, strategic application.
Pattern 2: 对...产生影响/威胁/帮助
Structure: [Technology/Agent] + 对 + [affected NP] + 产生 + [type of impact]
This pattern describes how technology causes an impact on people, systems, or society.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 人工智能的发展对传统就业市场产生了深远影响。 | Réngōng zhìnéng de fāzhǎn duì chuántǒng jiùyè shìchǎng chǎnshēng le shēnyuǎn yǐngxiǎng. | The development of AI has produced far-reaching impacts on the traditional employment market. |
| 算法推荐对用户的隐私产生了一定威胁。 | Suànfǎ tuījiàn duì yònghù de yǐnsī chǎnshēng le yīdìng wēixié. | Algorithmic recommendations pose a certain threat to user privacy. |
Pattern 3: 既...也 in technology impact discussion
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 科技创新既带来了便利，也带来了新的社会挑战。 | Kējì chuàngxīn jì dài lái le biànlì, yě dài lái le xīn de shèhuì tiǎozhàn. | Technological innovation has brought both convenience and new social challenges. |
| 互联网既拉近了人与人之间的距离，也使某些人变得更加孤独。 | Hùliánwǎng jì lā jìn le rén yǔ rén zhī jiān de jùlí, yě shǐ mǒu xiē rén biàn de gèngjiā gūdú. | The internet has both brought people closer together and made some people more isolated. |
Dialogue
Context: Two colleagues discussing how their company is adopting AI tools.
A: 听说公司下个季度要引入人工智能系统，你有什么看法？
Tīngshuō gōngsī xià gè jìdù yào yǐnrù réngōng zhìnéng xìtǒng, nǐ yǒu shénme kànfǎ?
I heard the company is introducing an AI system next quarter. What do you think?
B: 我觉得这是好事。利用人工智能处理重复性的任务，可以让我们有更多时间做有创造性的工作。
Wǒ juéde zhè shì hǎoshì. Lìyòng réngōng zhìnéng chǔlǐ chóngfùxìng de rènwù, kěyǐ ràng wǒmen yǒu gèng duō shíjiān zuò yǒu chuàngzàoxìng de gōngzuò.
I think it's a good thing. Using AI to handle repetitive tasks can give us more time to do creative work.
A: 但是，我担心一些岗位会因此被取代，这对员工来说是个威胁。
Dànshì, wǒ dānxīn yīxiē gǎngwèi huì yīncǐ bèi qǔdài, zhè duì yuángōng lái shuō shì gè wēixié.
But I'm worried that some positions will be replaced as a result. This is a threat to employees.
B: 这种担心可以理解。历史上每次技术革命都对部分岗位产生了影响，但同时也创造了新的就业机会。
Zhè zhǒng dānxīn kěyǐ lǐjiě. Lìshǐ shàng měi cì jìshù gémìng dōu duì bùfen gǎngwèi chǎnshēng le yǐngxiǎng, dàn tóngshí yě chuàngzào le xīn de jiùyè jīhuì.
That worry is understandable. Historically every technological revolution has impacted some positions, but also created new employment opportunities at the same time.
A: 说到大数据，我们利用它能了解客户需求，这确实提高了效率。
Shuōdào dà shùjù, wǒmen lìyòng tā néng liǎojiě kèhù xūqiú, zhè quèshí tígāo le xiàolǜ.
Speaking of big data, using it to understand customer needs has indeed improved efficiency.
B: 对，不过对用户隐私的保护也不能忽视。利用数据的同时，必须确保数据安全。
Duì, búguò duì yònghù yǐnsī de bǎohù yě bù néng hūshì. Lìyòng shùjù de tóngshí, bìxū quèbǎo shùjù ānquán.
Right, but the protection of user privacy cannot be overlooked. While using data, data security must be ensured.
A: 科技创新既带来了机会，也带来了新的责任，这是我们都需要面对的现实。
Kējì chuàngxīn jì dài lái le jīhuì, yě dài lái le xīn de zérèn, zhè shì wǒmen dōu xūyào miànduì de xiànshí.
Technological innovation has brought both opportunities and new responsibilities. This is a reality we all need to face.
Extended Reading
人工智能正在深刻改变各行各业。在医疗领域，医生可以利用人工智能辅助诊断，提高准确率。在教育领域，学校可以利用大数据为学生提供个性化的学习方案。在商业领域，企业利用算法分析消费者行为，使营销更加精准。然而，科技的普及也对社会产生了新的挑战：数据隐私问题、算法偏见、以及就业结构的变化都需要社会各界共同应对。就长远发展而言，技术创新和社会责任必须同步推进，才能真正实现科技造福人类的目标。
Réngōng zhìnéng zhèngzài shēnkè gǎibiàn gè háng gè yè. Zài yīliáo lǐngyù, yīshēng kěyǐ lìyòng réngōng zhìnéng fǔzhù zhěnduàn, tígāo zhǔnquèlǜ. Zài jiàoyù lǐngyù, xuéxiào kěyǐ lìyòng dà shùjù wèi xuésheng tígōng gèxìnghuà de xuéxí fāng'àn. Zài shāngyè lǐngyù, qǐyè lìyòng suànfǎ fēnxī xiāofèizhě xíngwéi, shǐ yíngxiāo gèngjiā jīngzhǔn. Rán'ér, kējì de pǔjí yě duì shèhuì chǎnshēng le xīn de tiǎozhàn: shùjù yǐnsī wèntí, suànfǎ piānjiàn, yǐjí jiùyè jiégòu de biànhuà dōu xūyào shèhuì gè jiè gòngtóng yìngduì.
Artificial intelligence is profoundly transforming every industry. In healthcare, doctors can use AI to assist in diagnosis and improve accuracy. In education, schools can use big data to provide personalized learning plans for students. In the business sector, companies use algorithms to analyze consumer behavior, making marketing more precise. However, the spread of technology has also created new challenges for society: data privacy issues, algorithmic bias, and changes in employment structure all need to be addressed by all sectors of society together.
Practice
Exercise 1: Rewrite using 利用 instead of 用.
- 他用手机翻译了这篇文章。→ ___
- 医院用新技术检测疾病。→ ___
Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with appropriate vocabulary.
- 保护用户___是科技公司的重要责任。
- 这个___可以根据你的喜好推荐内容。
- 随着技术的___，越来越多的工作可以在线完成。
Exercise 3: Write a paragraph (6-8 sentences) about the impact of one specific technology (AI, social media, or e-commerce) on daily life in China. Use 利用, 对...产生影响, and 既...也 at least once each.
Cultural Note
China's approach to technology development is often described as a fusion of private entrepreneurship and state guidance. Companies like Alibaba, Tencent, and Huawei have become globally significant not just because of market demand but because of deliberate national strategies. The term 新基建 (xīn jījiàn, new infrastructure) refers to government investment in AI, 5G, data centers, and smart cities as strategic priorities. Understanding this state-market relationship explains why Chinese tech companies scale at extraordinary speed and why data and AI policy are simultaneously business and national security topics in China.