For years, those who wanted to learn a new language were forced to rely on in-person classes, recorded lessons on cassette tapes, or books.

But now, with the fast-paced explosion of artificial intelligence, we can now learn a language by interacting verbally with an AI avatar.

Believe it or not, AI has reached the point where users can now have a live, real-time discussion with a computer.

Imagine settling into your workstation each morning with your cup of coffee and having a 20-minute real-time conversation with an AI app about the news or the weather.

This is an incredible breakthrough.

In general, the most difficult aspect of learning a new language is the fact that one needs to speak and hear the language on a constant

basis to learn vocabulary, grammar, intonation, and so on.

Of course, DuoLingo has been a top-rated app for a while now, and users can now chat with an avatar spontaneously and in real-time. It can remember past conversations and focus on learners’ interests.

Busuu offers lessons with the help of AI, and it also combines social learning elements in 12 languages.

Unfortunately, popular apps like Rosetta Stone have yet to incorporate AI to the interactive level we are discussing here.

And this is why AI is so useful.

Programs such as LanguaTalk or TalkPal have made leaps and bounds in terms of how they teach users. Offering dozens of languages, each of these companies, and several others, offer users in-depth conversations on any number of topics as well as vocabulary-building tools.

Some experts believe that the advance of AI will make the learning of new languages obsolete. But AI will only make learning a new language more accessible and far more exciting.

Speech translation apps are improving, and while there are still limits to the AI-powered technology, experts say big advances are on the horizon.

According to Analytics Insight, AI language apps enhance language acquisition by personalizing the learning process. They use algorithms to track user progress and adapt lessons accordingly, focusing on areas where users need improvement. Features like speech recognition help improve pronunciation, and AI-driven chatbots provide realistic conversations that help build language skills.

In fact, a 2023 study carried out in India and published in the International Journal of English Language, Education and Literature Studies, found that participants showed improvement in their language proficiency scores after using AI-powered language learning apps.

The research suggested a positive impact on language acquisition through the use of innovative AI tools.

And these tools are winning awards.

At the ninth China Collegiate Computing Contest Mobile Application Innovation Contest held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, in November, a sign language learning app named ArtfulSign (Miaoshou in Chinese) emerged as the top winner.

Among 240 participating teams, ArtfulSign won the championship, the Most Innovative Award, and the Social Responsibility Innovation Award.

Three hearing-impaired students designed the app to help hearing individuals learn sign language to communicate with those who have hearing loss.

Of course, the shining feature of ArtfulSign is its use of AI models.

While there are skeptics and yes, they do have valid arguments, at the end of the day, it is more likely than not that AI will progress to such an extent that it will make language learning even more easy and fun.

Don’t let the naysayers stop you.

Start learning a new language now!