A1June 15, 2026·2 min read·293 words·5 vocab words·Source: TechCrunch

Smart Helpers for New Workers

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Smart Helpers for New Workers
Photo: TechCrunch
In brief

Orbio is a new company. They make smart computer helpers. These helpers talk to new workers. They help bosses in shops and hospitals. The company has 21 million dollars now. They want to build more helpers. Big food places like KFC use them. It is a big change for workers.

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Many people work in shops and hospitals. They make our food. They move our boxes. These workers are very important. But their bosses have a big problem. The bosses use paper lists. They use old phones. They want to find new workers. The old way is very slow.

A new company wants to fix this. The company name is Orbio. Sergi, Nacho, and Antonio are the leaders. They have an idea. They make smart computer helpers. The helpers use artificial intelligence. They have names. The names are Maria, Daniel, and Claire.

These smart helpers do many things. They talk to people. They ask questions for new jobs. They help the new workers. They check the work every day. They learn from the workers. A worker leaves the job. The helper asks why. Then the helper learns a lesson. The next time is better.

Orbio has a lot of money now. Another group gives them 21 million dollars. This group is Dawn Capital. Orbio has 26 million dollars in total. They want to build more helpers. They want to hire more staff.

Some big businesses use Orbio today. KFC and Taco Bell use the smart helpers. A big health group uses Orbio too. This group is The Stepping Stones Group. The helpers do a great job there. More people get jobs now. The number is 20 percent higher.

Other companies make similar tools. Paradox and WorkJam are two other companies. But Sergi is very happy with Orbio. He sees a big change for businesses. He sees a big change for workers. There are 2.7 billion workers in these jobs. They do not have special work emails. They need good tools. Sergi says this is their special moment. They can use smart computer helpers now.

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Comprehension
Question 1 of 3

What is the name of the new company?

Grammar spotlight

Present Simple for Facts

One point · A1

We use the present simple tense to talk about things that are generally true right now.

From this article

They make smart computer helpers.

What to know · A1

Use it today

Try saying this aloud

Neutral register

Scenario: You are explaining a new app to a friend.

  1. 01It is a smart helper.
  2. 02It asks questions.
  3. 03It is very fast.

Register tip · informal

🔑Key Phrases

have a big problemexperience a serious difficulty

Used to describe a bad situation that needs fixing.

Verb 'have' with adjective 'big' and noun 'problem'.

The workers have a big problem with the old machines.

learns a lessongains new knowledge from an experience

Describes when someone or something gets better after an event.

Present simple verb 'learns' with singular subject.

The team learns a lesson from the game.

do a great jobwork very well

A common way to say someone performs their tasks excellently.

Verb 'do' followed by noun phrase 'a great job'.

The new teachers do a great job in the school.

🎙️ Article Audio — Kokoro TTS

Smart Helpers for New Workers

💬Discussion Questions

Open-ended questions to talk or write about — alone, with a partner, or in class.

  1. 1

    Do you think smart computers are good for shops?

    Opinion
  2. 2

    How is a computer helper different from a human helper?

    Compare
  3. 3

    What new jobs can computers do next year?

    Predict
  4. 4

    Do you use computers in your daily work?

    Personal
  5. 5

    Is it easy or hard for people to learn new tools?

    Evaluate
  6. 6

    Why do big businesses want computer helpers?

    Opinion
  7. 7

    What is good about working in a shop or a hospital?

    Personal
  8. 8

    Will we see more robots in restaurants?

    Predict

Adapted from TechCrunch · Read the original. LinguaPress rewrites the facts as original graded-reader text for language learners.

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