AI-based chat is increasingly being used for language learning, with chatbots like ChatGPT proving useful when generating charts of verb tenses.
Developers have capitalised on this sudden wave of interest with the introduction of several AI apps.
These draw on open-source code to customise AI for those developing their language skills.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What language-learning platforms have been affected by AI?
Shares in the education sector have fallen as investors believe artificial intelligence could disrupt business models.
On Monday, the California-based Chegg, which provides online study guides, said the rising student interest in AI chatbot ChatGPT was impacting sales.
Shares in the language-learning platform Duolingo also fell by 10 per cent, as well as the US-listed education company Udemy.
How can you use AI to learn languages?
Research from Assoc Prof Klímová, a member of the research project Language in the Human-Machine Era, suggests that AI chatbots can help with vocabulary development, grammar, and other lanaguage skills, particularly when they give feedback as well.
She told the BBC: “It’s just a matter of time when artificial intelligence will replace us as teachers of foreign languages.”
She added that GPT-4, which is available with a paid subscription to ChatGPT, has improved greatly in accuracy.
One of the specific language-learning chatbots is LangAI, launched in March by Federico Ruiz Cassarino, the BBC reports.
Mr Ruiz Cassarino utilised his own experiences of learning English after moving from Uruguay to the UK.
He ended up speaking English every day, and is now using the app to improve his Italian.
Making mistakes when learning a new language can be embarrassing, but he thinks this can be avoided by using an AI chatbot instead.
He told the BBC: “We worked really hard to make this well-tailored for somebody who wants to learn languages.”
Mr Cassarino explained that out of the users who tried the app for around 10 minutes, roughly 45 per cent will still be using it a month later.
Other language learners are using apps such as ChatGPT and Bard.
Additionally, Duolingo started collaborating with OpenAI in September 2022, using the company’s GPT-4 to stay ahead of the trend.
