AI tutor
The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) has created an innovative AI tutor that enables individuals to learn foreign languages through listening, speaking, and reading. This new technology is expected to have a significant impact on the spread of AI-based language education services.
Introducing the Reading Comprehension AI Tutor
The Reading Comprehension AI Tutor is a form of artificial intelligence technology that focuses on reading education. ETRI incorporated deep learning-based dialog processing technology into reading comprehension education for the first time globally. This innovation is expected to help Korean speakers learn English and non-Korean speakers learn Korean more efficiently and effectively.
How the AI Tutor Works
The research team designed the Reading Comprehension AI Tutor to help learners enhance their English reading and listening abilities, similar to private teachers. The tutor poses questions about the textbook contents, engages in dialogs related to the readings, and assesses learners’ responses. This interaction helps learners to evaluate the effectiveness of private tutoring. Moreover, learners can now receive reading comprehension education in English, which was previously only available through face-to-face interaction, from home or other locations.
AI-Based Conversational Foreign Language Education Technology
ETRI has already developed AI-based conversational foreign language education technology, such as EBS’s AI PengTalk, which employs ETRI’s English speech recognition, pronunciation evaluation, and free conversation processing technology. This public education service is used as an English speaking learning tool for elementary schools throughout Korea. The same technology has also been applied to the King Sejong Institute Foundation’s “”King Sejong Institute AI Korean Tutor,”” providing an opportunity for students without access to Korean speakers to learn Korean.
Technology for Reading Comprehension Education
The research team applied non-native speaker speech recognition technology, pronunciation evaluation technology, machine translation technology, and dialog processing technology for reading education. The technology includes listening and reading, text comprehension, and reading conversation services.
In listening and reading, the Reading Comprehension AI Tutor reads the text and evaluates the learner’s pronunciation, providing feedback. In text comprehension, if the learner selects a portion they do not understand, the Reading Comprehension AI Tutor provides the meaning in their native language. In reading conversation, the tutor poses questions about the text, evaluates the learner’s responses, and offers hints for the correct answers.
The Future of AI Tutoring
ETRI plans to develop a technology for automatic evaluation of essays written by learners regarding reading content. They will continue to pursue AI tutoring services that help with reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Throughout the project, the research team has achieved numerous accomplishments, including 35 patents, 41 published papers, 21 technology transfers, and the adoption of two international standards.
Conclusion
Lee Yoon-geun, Director of ETRI Artificial Intelligence Research Center, expressed his hope that the Reading Comprehension AI Tutor will be a valuable resource for both native and non-native learners who wish to study reading with native English teachers. With the development of this technology, AI-based language education services are expected to expand significantly.
