Google is piloting a new tool that allows individuals to enhance their English-speaking skills through an AI-driven conversational bot. This innovative feature, which began as a basic sentence feedback tool in October 2023, now supports continuous interactive conversations. Users simply talk into their phones to engage with the AI, making language practice more dynamic and accessible.
According to TechCrunch, this feature is currently accessible to users of Search Labs in several countries, including Argentina, Colombia, India, Mexico, Venezuela, and Indonesia. Search Labs serves as a testing ground for potential new features in Google Search. Additionally, this conversational practice might appear for users translating to or from English on Android devices through Google.
Although Google does not offer a structured language learning curriculum like Duolingo or Babbel, its approach is to aid learners in choosing the most appropriate expressions and grammatical structures during conversations. This is part of a broader effort by Google to enhance its translation services and expand the number of languages its AI can interpret.
Google's translation features have been around for years, but the company continues to broaden its AI's linguistic capabilities. In a 2023 blog post, Google highlighted Search as a valuable resource for language learners, providing translations, definitions, and vocabulary searches.
Other platforms and future prospects
AI-assisted language learning is not entirely new. Duolingo introduced an AI chatbot in 2016 and incorporated GPT-4 in 2023. Similarly, Memrise offers a GPT-3-based chatbot on Discord, enabling users to learn languages through conversation. Other platforms, like Pimsleur, engage users in simulated dialogues to practice their target language.
While Google has not disclosed specific plans for expanding its language learning features or the availability of this speaking practice tool in more countries, the development signals a potential shift in language education technology. This could be a moment of concern for competitors like Duolingo, as Google's broad user base and advanced AI capabilities present a formidable challenge.
