PM Interview Question→As the product manager at Duolingo, how would you leverage generative AI to develop interactive conversational agents that provide users with real-time language practice and feedback?

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Bootcamp

5 min readNov 18, 2024

Imagine this: You’re preparing for a trip to Paris. You’ve been diligently learning French on Duolingo, acing vocabulary exercises, and perfecting grammar lessons. But now, as you picture yourself ordering a croissant at a bustling Parisian café, you freeze. Will you remember how to ask for it? Will you sound natural? What if they respond too quickly?

This gap between learning in theory and speaking in practice is where many language learners hit a wall. And let’s face it, talking to native speakers when you’re not confident can be terrifying.

But what if you could practice with a patient, non-judgmental partner who guides you, corrects you when needed, and even helps you refine your accent? That’s exactly what generative AI could bring to Duolingo.

The Missing Piece in Language Learning

Here’s the thing: Duolingo is fantastic for teaching vocabulary, grammar, and listening skills. But when it comes to spontaneous, real-world conversations, learners often feel underprepared. Why? Because:

Speaking is scary: Nobody wants to fumble through sentences in front of fluent speakers.
Practice opportunities are limited: Not everyone has access to native speakers or immersive environments.
Feedback is hard to find: When you’re speaking, who’s going to point out your mispronunciation or suggest a better way to phrase something?

This is where conversational agents powered by generative AI could change the game.

A Vision for AI-Powered Conversational Agents

At Duolingo, we’re always looking for ways to make language learning more engaging, effective, and fun. Generative AI opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Imagine this:

Dynamic Conversations: You’re practicing Spanish, and the AI takes on the role of a shopkeeper in Mexico City. You ask for a souvenir, and the agent responds naturally, adapting to your level and helping you phrase your sentences better.
Real-Time Feedback: After you speak, the AI gently points out that you said “el flor” instead of “la flor,” explaining why the article needs to change. It even offers a pronunciation tip.
Cultural Contexts: Want to sound like a local? The AI could teach you idiomatic expressions, formal vs. informal speech, or even regional slang.

It’s like having a language coach in your pocket — available 24/7.

How It Would Work

Here’s how we’d bring this idea to life:

1. Powered by Generative AI

At the core, we’d use advanced large language models (think OpenAI’s GPT) fine-tuned with multilingual datasets. These models are already incredibly good at generating human-like text, and we’d enhance them to focus on conversational language learning.

2. Speaking and Listening

Of course, conversation is a two-way street. That’s why we’d integrate speech recognition (to understand what you say) and text-to-speech technology (so the AI can respond with a natural-sounding voice).

3. Real-Time Feedback

The AI wouldn’t just respond — it would analyze your speech for grammar, pronunciation, and fluency, giving instant, actionable corrections. And it wouldn’t just say, “You’re wrong.” Instead, it might suggest, “Try saying it this way…” or show you a visual guide to correct pronunciation.

What It Would Feel Like for You

Picture this:

You open the Duolingo app and start a “conversation session.” Today’s topic is ordering food at a restaurant.
The AI sets the scene: You’re at a café in Madrid, and the waiter (played by the AI) greets you with, “¡Hola! ¿Qué te gustaría pedir?”
You hesitate but reply, “Quiero… una ensalada, por favor.” The AI replies, “Perfecto, una ensalada. ¿Algo para beber?” The conversation flows naturally.
After the session, the AI highlights your strong points and suggests you practice saying “algo para beber” to nail the intonation.

You feel encouraged, not embarrassed, and you’ve gained confidence for the real world.

Why It Matters

This isn’t just about making conversations fun — it’s about solving real problems for language learners:

It builds confidence: Mistakes are part of learning, and an AI won’t judge you.
It’s personalized: The AI adapts to your level, focusing on areas where you need improvement.
It’s accessible: No need to find a native speaker or join a pricey class. You can practice anytime, anywhere.

Beyond the Basics: What’s Next?

Once we launch, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few ideas for the future:

Role-Playing Scenarios: Practice conversations in specific contexts, like preparing for a job interview or chatting at a party.
Group Chats: Imagine AI-moderated group discussions where learners interact with each other and get real-time feedback.
Multi-Language Practice: Want to switch from Spanish to Japanese mid-conversation? The AI could handle that seamlessly.

And because Duolingo thrives on gamification, we’d tie it all into the existing reward system. Finish a conversation, earn XP. Master a tricky dialogue, get a badge.

What’s in It for Duolingo?

Of course, this isn’t just a win for learners — it’s a win for us too. Here’s why:

Better Retention: Engaging conversations keep users coming back.
Enhanced Learning Outcomes: Fluency boosts user satisfaction and credibility.
Monetization Opportunities: Basic features could remain free, while premium options like advanced feedback or niche scenarios (e.g., business conversations) could be part of Duolingo Plus.

The Future of Language Learning

Generative AI isn’t just a tool — it’s a revolution. With conversational agents, we could help millions of learners go beyond memorizing words and grammar to truly mastering the art of conversation.

And the best part? This isn’t some far-off dream. The technology is ready, and Duolingo is uniquely positioned to bring it to life.

Imagine a world where anyone can practice French with a Parisian waiter, learn Japanese idioms from a friendly shopkeeper, or rehearse German for a job interview — all without leaving their living room. That’s the future we’re building.

Thanks for reading! If you’ve got ideas to contribute to this conversation please comment. If you like what you read and want to see more, clap me some love! Follow me here, or connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter.

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