Duolingo,
the
ed-tech
platform
focused
on
teaching
languages,
mathematics,
and
music
on
Tuesday
announced
new
features
at
its
annual
Duocon
2024
conference.
The
platform
announced
a
new
artificial
intelligence
(AI)
feature
with
its
Max
subscription
that
will
allow
users
to
have
conversations
with
an
AI
chatbot
while
simulating
a
video
call.
The
company
claims
that
this
feature
will
enable
users
to
have
realistic
conversations
and
improve
their
language
proficiency.
Apart
from
this,
a
game-like
feature
dubbed
Adventures,
and
an
expansion
of
its
music
courses
with
the
partnership
with
Loog
was
also
announced
at
the
event.
Duolingo
Unveils
AI-Powered
Features
at
Duocon
2024
At
Duocon
2024,
the
platform
unveiled
several
new
capabilities,
including
the
AI-powered
‘Video
Call
with
Lily’
feature
that
allows
users
to
start
a
conversation
with
Lily,
one
of
the
prominent
virtual
characters
on
Duolingo
and
engage
in
spontaneous
and
realistic
conversations
with
the
chatbot.
The
company
stated
that
the
feature
is
aimed
to
“simulate
natural
dialogue”
and
offer
a
“personalised,
interactive
practice
environment”
to
users.
The
AI-powered
video
calling
feature
is
not
restricted
to
any
level
of
expertise
in
the
language,
and
even
users
beginning
to
learn
a
new
language
can
have
conversations.
The
AI
can
adapt
to
the
user’s
skill
level,
allowing
them
to
practice
regardless
of
their
proficiency,
the
company
claims.
Currently,
the
feature
is
available
for
Duolingo
Max
subscribers
learning
English,
Spanish,
and
French
languages.
Duolingo
Max
was
introduced
by
the
company
last
year,
and
the
subscription
tier
offers
AI
features
to
help
users
learn
more
effectively.
At
launch,
the
subscription
was
available
to
users
in
Australia,
Canada,
Ireland,
New
Zealand,
the
US,
and
the
UK.
The
company
highlighted
that
it
would
be
expanded
to
more
countries
in
the
future.
The
Max
subscription
costs
$29.99
(roughly
Rs.
2,400)
a
month
and
$239.99
(roughly
Rs.
19,960)
for
the
yearly
family
plan.
Duolingo’s
new
Adventures
feature
Photo
Credit:
Duolingo
Apart
from
this,
a
new
feature
dubbed
Adventures
is
also
being
introduced.
The
company
describes
it
as
a
“game-like
experience”,
and
it
lets
users
play
out
different
storylines
and
interact
with
the
characters
to
improve
their
language
proficiency.
These
storylines
are
placed
in
real-life
scenarios
such
as
ordering
food
or
getting
their
passport
checked
to
be
more
functional.
This
feature
will
be
available
on
Android
and
iOS,
but
the
company
did
not
specify
if
it
will
also
be
available
on
the
web
client.
Duolingo
is
also
expanding
its
music
course
capabilities
with
a
partnership
with
portable
instrument
manufacturer
Loog.
With
this
collaboration,
the
platform
will
offer
users
to
practice
Duolingo
Music
lessons
on
a
three-octave
digital
piano.
This
Duolingo
x
Loog
Piano
can
be
pre-ordered
on
the
company
website
and
is
priced
at
$249
(roughly
Rs.
20,800).