AI could make it less necessary to learn foreign languages
That is good news for travellers, bad news for soulful connection
On holiday, many will find themselves in places where they do not speak the language. Once upon a time, they might have carried a phrasebook. The rise of English has made that less necessary. But most people—at least seven of the world’s eight billion—still do not speak English. That leaves options like pantomime, a willingness to be surprised by what arrives at dinner—or, increasingly, technology.
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This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Yo hablo AI”
Culture August 19th 2023
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