Berlin-based Babbel language-learning app to get US head – Yahoo! Tech

Berlin-based e-learning platform Babbel is to gain a new US head in the form of Tim Allen who previously headed the Vimeo video platform. Co-founder Markus Witte, who took over as chief executive in a caretaker capacity in the autumn, is to continue as head of the supervisory board. The market in which Babbel operates is currently undergoing rapid change as a result of artificial intelligence (AI). Babbel competitor Duolingo is leaning heavily on AI in setting up its courses. Duolingo head Louis von Ahn announced in April that the company would gradually stop employing remote staff for tasks that could be done by AI. Babbel is also making use of AI to draw up exercises, although the aim is not to replace employees with software. Allen sees options in AI to individualize learning processes. AI is also being used in an add-on by means of which students can engage with the app. Babbel is working on the assumption that people will still want to learn a foreign language, despite the availability of translation apps. People do not learn languages to get to their hotel in Beijing, Witte believes. While these apps can help with everyday tasks, they will not
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