EdTechX Summit in London: Looking beyond the AI avatar for language learning
As artificial intelligence (AI) powered avatars are transforming language education, an expert panel at the EdTechX Summit in London considered other innovations that are improving how we learn new languages.
Harel Tayeb CEO at eTeacher, an online learning platform for languages, told delegates that those learning languages are often looking for a community as well as a new skill, and an AI avatar tutor will not necessarily fulfil that need .
However, he did acknowledge the benefits of using these tools “While there are many tools for learning a language, using an AI tutor can help you get there faster,” he explained. He also shared that eTeacher is using AI to add animation to its courses and finding new ways to link tools together.
Toby Mather, Product Director at online English language school Novakid, said that his team were struck by how bad some AI avatars are. While they are using AI for some tasks, Novakid still uses 3,000 human tutors.
Last year, Novakid acquired UK-based app Lingumi, which creates AI-assisted, interactive lessons for learners aged between two- and six-years-old. As the deal was announced, it shared that a new self-led learning product using Lingumi’s technology is expected to be released this year.
“We’ve added AI not to replace, but to supplement,” Mather explained, adding that Novakid has a team tracking the effectiveness of its lessons.
Daryna Mednikova, Chief Product Officer at online platform Promova agreed that an AI avatar is not adding much to the experience of learning a language. She said the creativity of the team behind each platform is much more important for improving user experience.
Promova instead sees an opportunity in offering personalization and role-play scenarios using AI rather than using avatars. Mednikova has added personalized goals for learners and is creating role-play situations for learners to solve in their target language using AI.
Lee Schuneman, Chief Product Technology Officer and President at English language platform Efekta Education Group, added that AI avatars can go “terribly wrong” if not used well, but is focusing on creating working avatar to allow its users to practise their skills. “We will fail if we don’t experiment,” he explained.
Efekta has recently launched the largest global AI tutoring trial for English learners in Latin America. The program, which will be the largest trial of AI-based teaching and tutoring to date, will involve up to four million students aged 11 to 17 and their teachers. It is designed to enhance English proficiency and free up teacher time by integrating AI into classroom instruction.
However, Schuneman said there was still a focus on creating a great curriculum for students to follow. “The core of it - our curriculum - that doesn’t go away,” he added.
