The researchers created an android，named "Erica"，which they trained to detect laughter in conversation，then decide whether to laugh in response and what kind of laughter would be best.Her conversations and chuckles（轻笑）were then watched by volunteers，who decided whether her responses demonstrated empathy and human-likeness. Lead author Dr Koji Inoue，from Kyoto University，said： "We think that one of the important functions of conversational AI is empathy.Conversation is，of course，multi-modal，not just responding correctly.So we decided that one way a robot can empathize（产生共鸣）with users is to share their laughter，which you cannot do with a text-based chatbot（聊天机器）." The aim of the research was to develop an AI that can understand slight differences in humour.While it would be possible to train an algorithm（计算程序）to recognize laughter，or read out a joke，these abilities would not enable it to copy natural conversation. The researchers first developed a "shared-laughter " model for Erica to run，which would allow her to respond to human laughter as an empathetic response.This model asks three questions in order for the robot to appropriately respond to a conversational cue.First is "Did the user laugh？"，then "Will Erica laugh in response？" and finally，if she responds yes to both， "Which type of laughter is proper？".The types of laughter Erica would choose from are a "social laugh"，a polite chuckle to fill conversation when humour is not involved，or a "mirthful laugh" for funny situations. To teach the AI to use the shared-laughter model effectively，the researchers gathered data by sending the robot speed dating.Erica，who was remotely operated by four female actors，had over 80 dialogues with male university students.The laughter that appeared during the conversations was then classified into solo，social or mirthful.This was then used to train Erica's neural network how to decide when it is appropriate to laugh，and which type of laughter to use. 1.What the scientists in Japan exactly want to do in this research？ ______ A.To change the robot's reputation. B.To use artificial intelligence. C.To teach the robot when and how to laugh. D.To create a new android. 2.What can be inferred according to Dr Koji's words？ ______ A.Empathy is the most important function of conversational AI. B.Sharing their laughter can make a robot empathize with users. C.Multi-modal is one of the characteristics of conversation. D.Conversation only needs to respond correctly. 3.Which statement will the author probably agree with？ ______

Robots are famously cold，hard and unfeeling，so they may not be the greatest audience for your favourite knock-knock joke.However，scientists in Japan are looking to change their reputation，by teaching them when and how to laugh using artificial intelligence.
The researchers created an android，named "Erica"，which they trained to detect laughter in conversation，then decide whether to laugh in response and what kind of laughter would be best.Her conversations and chuckles（轻笑）were then watched by volunteers，who decided whether her responses demonstrated empathy and human-likeness.
Lead author Dr Koji Inoue，from Kyoto University，said： "We think that one of the important functions of conversational AI is empathy.Conversation is，of course，multi-modal，not just responding correctly.So we decided that one way a robot can empathize（产生共鸣）with users is to share their laughter，which you cannot do with a text-based chatbot（聊天机器）."
The aim of the research was to develop an AI that can understand slight differences in humour.While it would be possible to train an algorithm（计算程序）to recognize laughter，or read out a joke，these abilities would not enable it to copy natural conversation.
The researchers first developed a "shared-laughter " model for Erica to run，which would allow her to respond to human laughter as an empathetic response.This model asks three questions in order for the robot to appropriately respond to a conversational cue.First is "Did the user laugh？"，then "Will Erica laugh in response？" and finally，if she responds yes to both， "Which type of laughter is proper？".The types of laughter Erica would choose from are a "social laugh"，a polite chuckle to fill conversation when humour is not involved，or a "mirthful laugh" for funny situations.
To teach the AI to use the shared-laughter model effectively，the researchers gathered data by sending the robot speed dating.Erica，who was remotely operated by four female actors，had over 80 dialogues with male university students.The laughter that appeared during the conversations was then classified into solo，social or mirthful.This was then used to train Erica's neural network how to decide when it is appropriate to laugh，and which type of laughter to use.


1.What the scientists in Japan exactly want to do in this research？ ______
A.To change the robot's reputation.
B.To use artificial intelligence.
C.To teach the robot when and how to laugh.
D.To create a new android.
2.What can be inferred according to Dr Koji's words？ ______
A.Empathy is the most important function of conversational AI.
B.Sharing their laughter can make a robot empathize with users.
C.Multi-modal is one of the characteristics of conversation.
D.Conversation only needs to respond correctly.
3.Which statement will the author probably agree with？ ______
A. text-based chatbot can have sympathy for others.
B.An algorithm can not recognise laughter，and read out a joke.
C.Erica can learn to laugh from three questions.
D.The actors and students can give examples of laugh.
4.Which can be the best title for the text？ ______
A.Scientists try to teach a robot when it is appropriate to laugh.
B.Robots know how to laugh after learning and training.
C.A new trend is coming as artificial intelligence learns to laugh.
D.Researchers try to teach a robot how to make a conversation.