From there, the learner can return to the lesson, or get further explanation, and GPT-4 can dynamically update. With the new features, earners will be able to click “Explain my answer”, and GPT-4 will give an initial response. “GPT-4 gives us far more confidence in the accuracy of AI responses in Explain my Answer,” says Peterson. One incorrect term in the explanation could teach the concept incorrectly or leave the user confused and dissatisfied. Teaching grammar requires a specific understanding of the error and why a learner made it. Even with GPT-3, the implementation was difficult. Many of Duolingo’s learners want to learn the explicit rules, and the company has tried to teach them with both pre-written Grammar Tips and artificial intelligence. This posed an interesting challenge to Duolingo. There is a best practice in language learning called “implicit learning.” Learning through repeated use of vocabulary and grammar in an array of contexts-in other words, through practice-is more effective than memorizing rules. GPT-4 has learned from enough public data to create a flexible back and forth for the learner. But Bodge says what Duolingo needed was the ability to converse with learners in niche contexts and “immersively”-to have a free-flowing conversation about basketball or the bliss of reaching the top of a mountain. Previously, Duolingo attempted to “chat” with learners through scripted conversations incorporating classic scenarios like ordering food, meeting someone for the first time, or buying a plane ticket. “It was close to being ready,” said lead engineer Bill Peterson, “but we didn’t feel it was at the point where we could confidently integrate it to handle the complex automated aspects of chats.”

“We wanted AI-powered features that were deeply integrated into the app and leveraged the gamified aspect of Duolingo that our learners love,” says Bodge.ĭuolingo engineers had tried using GPT-3 to supplement some of the human-powered features in its earlier chat feature. Duolingo turned to OpenAI’s GPT-4 to advance the product with two new features: Role Play, an AI conversation partner, and Explain my Answer, which breaks down the rules when you make a mistake, in a new subscription tier called Duolingo Max.

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