Learning Languages with a GPT-3 Chatbot: Exciting Artificial Intelligence
Recently, I was scrolling through my Twitter feed and happened upon a tweet from Memrise, a language learning app, that made a bold claim. Apparently, practicing a language with a GPT-3 chatbot is better than doing so with a human! As an avid language learner, and with all the recent hype surrounding GPT-3 technology, I just had to learn more. Skeptical but intrigued, I decided to try studying a language with a GPT-3 chatbot myself, and here’s how my brief foray into mixing artificial intelligence (AI) and language learning went.
Hot take: it’s better to practice speaking a new language with a GPT-3 chatbot than a human. A 🧵#langtwt #ai #chatgpt
— Memrise (@memrise) January 10, 2023
What is GPT-3?
According to Tech Target, OpenAI’s GPT-3, or Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3, uses internet data to generate text. Essentially, GPT-3 is trained to understand and generate natural human language text, and it’s currently the best model for producing text that appears as though a human could have written it. It can do all sorts of impressive tasks, like writing music, finding bugs in code, and creating memes, but its most interesting capability in the realm of language learning is its ability to automate conversations.
What is MemBot?
Memrise claims that MemBot is a first-of-its-kind AI language partner. It functions much like an instant messaging system, except that there’s a robot, and not a person, on the other side. Though it isn’t meant to replace real-life conversation, MemBot is marketed as a stepping stone to help you build up the confidence to speak your target language. Using a conversational format, language learners can practice with MemBot via chats, games or missions of their choice.
Is MemBot a Helpful Tool?
Text discussions have always played an important role in my various endeavors to learn new languages. Over the years, I’ve used language exchange apps, like Tandem and HelloTalk, that expose learners to spontaneous conversations with real native speakers about topics that interest them. However, after trying MemBot, I found that chatting with AI solves some of the main drawbacks of messaging real people.
Response Time
I was so impressed with how quickly MemBot responded to my chats! Anyone who texts with language partners knows that it’s difficult to find someone who responds to messages consistently in a timely manner. Even amidst a fascinating conversation, differing time zones and schedules make it impossible to talk to your language partner at all times. However, MemBot answers within seconds at any time of the day, meaning that you can use it whenever you want!
Conversation Quality
I also thought that MemBot offered a high-quality language exchange. Since I’m long past the stage of “learning” the French language, I decided to try out my Spanish to have a real educational experience. Even though my Spanish is elementary and I made mistakes throughout the conversation, MemBot had no trouble understanding and responding to my texts. MemBot kept the conversation lively by asking questions, using exclamation marks, and repeating pieces of my messages back to me. The high-energy conversation was better than some of the comparatively sterile chats I’ve had with real people.
Appropriate Chats
The third advantage that I noticed using MemBot was that our discussion was appropriate and useful for language learning. Unfortunately, with apps that facilitate language exchanges, not all users are there for the right reasons. When you chat with real people, you can run into scammers, harassers, and people looking to use the app to find love. MemBot allows you to avoid running into these improper discussions while preserving the fun of the instant message format.
My experience with Memrise’s MemBot was brief, but it left me satisfied with our conversation and eager to learn more about how AI could change language learning as we know it. In some ways, I agree that using MemBot is better than texting a real person, but it certainly can’t replace the human connections that are forged through a shared love of learning languages. What do you think about GPT-3 tech making its way into the language learning world? Would you add MemBot to your language learning routine? Let me know in a comment down below!
2 Comments
Lisa Fleury
I think I will try Membot! I need to be using my beginning Spanish regularly so I don’t regress. It should be interesting to see if it corrects my errors, or is that asking too much?
Jalen & Maria
I really enjoyed the brief, free trial that I did! You may have to wait for a few updates before it’s ready to correct your errors, though!