AI is not enough

1 Dec 2024 · 1 min

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Hadar Shemesh argues that language-learning apps and AI tutors (e.g., Duolingo-style apps) can help with vocabulary and reducing mistakes but cannot produce authentic fluency. True fluency requires real-life conversational back-and-forth: listening amid distractions, coping with different accents, managing thoughts, and responding in real time — abilities the app-alone practice cannot develop.

Chapters

All the apps, like all the duolingos, everything that you. It's just you and your app. It's good to a certain degree, but it will not get you to where you want to be, which is to completely feel like yourself. Like English is second nature to you. It's not going to help you feel authentic and free, because for that, you need the real life interaction with other human beings. Having an AI tutor is going to offer you limited progress. You're going to make less mistakes, you're going to use better words, which is great. But fluency is not just about that. Fluency is the back and forth. It's being able to listen, to understand others when there are distractions, when there are people, speak with different accents, when you have to manage your own thoughts. And you need to respond while all of that is happening, which is not possible when you practice with your app.