Dr. Gareth Popkins

AI in Language Learning: Five Potential Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)

New Year, New Language Summit 2026

AI and Language Learning: Levelling Up with Modern Tools

The fifth edition explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping vocabulary practice, speaking confidence, and personalised study for every learner.

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About this session

A skeptical look at five potential pitfalls of AI in language learning and how to overcome them. Understand why AI output can be unnatural, culturally inappropriate, or factually incorrect.

Key takeaways

  • Recognize that AI-generated language is based on statistical prediction, not true intelligence or lived human experience, making critical evaluation essential.
  • Be aware that AI output, while fluent-looking, may sound unnatural or culturally inappropriate to native speakers.
  • Always verify factual information provided by AI, as it can be incorrect even if the language seems perfect.
  • Exercise extra caution when using AI for low-resource languages, as models may produce flattened, neutral versions that lack dialectal richness.

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