This is a question that ChatGPT product director Nicholas Turley has received from many students. Responding to DPA news agency, Mr. Turley shared a series of questions he received such as: Will AI make language learning the same as a computer did with everyday learning? Will chatbots make foreign language learning outdated?
Turley believes that chatbots will not and should not replace foreign language classes in schools.
"AI can help you learn a language. This is a great way to learn something new. But it cannot replace speaking a foreign language," Turley shared.
AI-powered apps are becoming more and more trustworthy in allowing dialogue between two people of different languages. Major smartphone makers such as Samsung and Xiaomi have begun installing live-stream software on their latest phones.
Meanwhile, AI chatbots like ChatGPT can be reminded to help a language learner, for example by saying, "I'm a beginner learning French. Can you talk to me on the inside?"
While real-time translation apps can be helpful when traveling abroad, Turley said he doesn't want to live in a world where people only communicate through AI.
Its not human, and at OpenAI, its important for us to do AI for the benefit of humans, not replace human interaction, Turley stressed.
He added that he will continue to encourage the pursuit of both languages and other areas of interest, using AI as a guiding instead.
"My answer is always: Learn what you care about. Human curiosity is the most important thing for AI. After all, you also need to be able to ask the right questions," Turley said.
Turley has worked at OpenAI since 2022 and led product development for ChatGPT. He played an important role in the development of this chatbot.
Turley's comments come as Duolingo, a leading language application, has turned to using AI to create language learning materials and has said it will fire outside employees when their productivity can be replaced by AI.
