AI·Artificial IntelligenceDuolingo is facing an existential crisis as Google Translate rolls out features to tutor users—and even handle translation as a bonusBy Marco Quiroz-GutierrezBy Marco Quiroz-GutierrezReporterMarco Quiroz-GutierrezReporterRole: ReporterMarco Quiroz-Gutierrez is a reporter for Fortune covering general news.SEE FULL BIO Luis von Ahn, cofounder and CEO of Duolingo.David Paul Morris—Bloomberg/Getty ImagesGoogle launched new features for Google Translate that will help users learn a new language with the help of AI.
The new features take a page from Duolingo, which has faced pressure as AI algorithms can now write and speak in different languages.
Google’s new AI-powered features for Google Translate are taking a page from Duolingo—and its responsive translation could increasingly make language barriers a thing of the past.
Powered by its AI model Gemini, Google’s new beta “practice” option will let English-speaking Google Translate users practice their Spanish or French with custom lessons designed to fit each learner’s level of comprehension.
Spanish, French, or Portuguese speakers can also bolster their English skills using the app.
By writing out a learning goal, getting to know a host family better or going on vacation, the app will tailor lessons to the user.
Much the language-learning app Duolingo, users can use the new Google Translate features to practice both listening and speaking, with helpful hints available when necessary, while also checking their daily gress, Google said in a blog post.
s of Duolingo fell 3% ing Google’s announcement before rebounding Wednesday as of midday.
The language-learning app, which boasts 130 million active users, has faced increased pressure from AI models ChatGPT and Gemini, which are also capable of helping users learn a new language.
Notably, only 10% of Duolingo’s users are paying customers, CEO Luis von Ahn told the New York Times earlier this month.
After von Ahn sent a memo declaring the company’s new “AI-first” strategy, he later clarified his s, saying Duolingo was “hiring at the same speed as we were hiring before.” Still, von Ahn said he wasn’t worried large language models (LLMs) encroaching on the language learning space.
“Just having conversations in French on something ChatGPT gets pretty boring after a while. It doesn’t keep you there. We keep you on task with all the gamification,” he told the NYT.
In a statement to Fortune a spokesperson for Duolingo said the company has spent 13 years making language learning engaging.
“At Duolingo, we’ve spent 13 years building motivation and making it fun to keep going – because sticking with it is the hardest part of self-learning,” the spoksesperson said in a statement.
“That’s what has made us not just the world’s most education app, but also a globally loved brand that people return to every day. That focus continues to resonate.
In Q2 2025, daily active users grew 40% year over year, fueled by deep insights into what keeps learners gressing.
We’ll keep innovating, but always with the same goal: making learning stick.” Google also introduced AI-powered translation features this week for on-the-spot conversations.
Translations will be read aloud and presented on the screen with a transcript.
Google’s advanced voice-and speech-recognition models are able to isolate a user’s voice so the app can be used even in noisy spaces.
In June, at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple also announced new -translation features powered by its grown Apple Intelligence that will be available for iMessage, FaceTime, and phone calls.
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