Duolingo’s Max Subscription Uses GPT-4 for AI-Powered Language Learning

Duolingo jumped on the generative AI bandwagon this week with a new paid subscription tier featuring two OpenAI GPT-4-powered features.

The new subscription is called Duolingo Max(Opens in a new window), and offers language learners access to Explain My Answer and Roleplay features, each of which is powered by artificial intelligence.

A Max subscription costs $30 a month (or $168 annually) and includes all the benefits of Super Duolingo (unlimited hearts, no ads, personalized review), plus access to lengthy explanations of right or wrong answers, and real-world conversations with in-app characters.

(Credit: Duolingo)

The Explain My Answer feature allows language learners to tap a button “after certain exerice types” to enter a chat with the Duo bot. Duo can explain why any answers given are wrong or right, as well as offering further examples if requested to help a learner better understand the material.

The other new feature, Roleplay, allows learners to earn XP by practicing real-world conversations in the app with world characters. Examples of the conversations you’ll have include “future vacation plans with Lin, order coffee at a café in Paris, go furniture shopping with Eddy, or ask a friend to go for a hike.”

Duolingo knows the AI features will generate a few mistakes, butsays “We’ve spent months collaborating closely with OpenAI to test and train this technology, and will continue doing so until the mistakes are nearly nonexistent.” If you spot a mistake, it’s easy to report by holding down the inaccurate message and waiting for a menu to appear.

At launch, Duolingo Max is available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand to English speakers learning Spanish or French on iOS. Eligible users can find the subscription option in the Shop tab (click the gem icon at the top of the screen). The features will roll out to more courses, platforms, and countries “very soon.”