Learn Business & Technology English With Real News
This lesson uses an authentic business news video about Meta, AI, and enterprise technology. You will practice listening comprehension, business vocabulary, pronunciation, discussion, shadowing, and speaking. The lesson is designed for intermediate to advanced English learners who want to understand real-world English naturally.
Key Business Vocabulary
Listening Quiz
1. Why are some customers canceling their subscriptions?
2. What does Meta mainly earn money from?
3. Which Meta product became successful for businesses?
4. What are investors worried about?
Discussion Questions
- Do you think people should worry about how companies use their data? Why or why not?
- Would you trust Meta with AI products for business use?
- Why do some tech companies struggle in the enterprise market?
- Do you think AI companies spend too much money on infrastructure?
- What future business opportunities could AI create?
- Would you personally pay for an AI subscription service?
Useful Business English Phrases
“From an investor perspective…”
Used when talking about business or financial opinions.
“That raises concerns about…”
Used to introduce worries or possible problems.
“The company is struggling to…”
Used when a company has difficulties doing something.
“It remains to be seen…”
Used when the future result is still uncertain.
Shadowing & Pronunciation Practice
Repeat these sentences aloud several times. Try to copy the speed, rhythm, and pronunciation of the original speaker.
Listening Strategy Tips
- Watch once without subtitles and focus only on the main idea.
- Watch a second time and pause after difficult sentences.
- Write down unfamiliar vocabulary while listening.
- Practice repeating long business English sentences aloud.
- Try summarizing the video in your own English words.
- Focus on stress and intonation in business English.
Writing & Speaking Challenge
Write a short opinion paragraph answering this question:
“Do you think Meta’s AI investments will succeed in the future?”
Full Video Transcript
With mounting pressure to justify its AI costs, Meta's ambitions to serve enterprise customers face real challenges.
Its latest acquisition, a reported $2 billion deal for Manus, which sells AI agents via subscription to small businesses and entrepreneurs, highlights those challenges.
CNBC has heard from multiple customers who are canceling their subscriptions. While that represents only a small percentage of Manus’ subscriber base, it reflects growing concerns among startups about Meta.
One of those customers is Seth Dobrin, CEO and co-founder of Arya Labs. He says Manus was his favorite AI agent, but he stopped using it after the acquisition.
Dobrin told CNBC: “I do not agree with a lot of Meta’s practices around data and how they essentially weaponize people’s personal data against them.”
Karl Yeh, co-founder of a consulting firm that advises startups on AI integration, also said he canceled his subscription and encouraged clients to do the same.
Meta, which generates nearly all of its $200 billion in annualized revenue from advertising, says the Manus acquisition is intended to accelerate AI innovation for businesses.
However, outside of its massive advertising business, which includes more than 10 million small and medium-sized business advertisers, Meta has struggled with several failed attempts to break into the enterprise market.
Recently, Meta announced it is sunsetting its Workrooms virtual reality app as it shifts away from VR.
In 2024, the company also shut down its Workplace communication and productivity platform. Two years earlier, it discontinued the Portal video-calling device.
One area where Meta is finding success with businesses is WhatsApp. WhatsApp Business has become a popular tool for customer service, and Evercore projects it could generate $40 billion in revenue for Meta by 2030.
Meta shares are down nearly 20% since the company’s last earnings call in October, when CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Meta expects to significantly increase expenses this year as it builds AI infrastructure.
Investors are still trying to understand how the company plans to justify those massive costs.
Manus declined to comment, and Meta referred CNBC to its blog post about the acquisition.
