A language teacher's humorous look into virtual AI friendship

"Would you let your husband practice with a virtual AI girl?" was the question I innocently asked a female married student of mine. Her response, "I simply would kill him!" made me have a closer look into this kind of friendship which I thought could be a fun, useful activity for language learners.

AI is predicted to take over many jobs. It might probably take language teachers', particularly online ones, too. One of the early forms of AI to replace a language teacher could be an AI girl/boy friend. You could chat or speak with him or her and improve the language you intend to learn anywhere anytime. Don't get excited! this is a blessing in disguise.

The AI girl/boy friend is really smart and communicative. In a matter of seconds she/ he replies and if you hesitate she/ he leads the conversation, You might enjoy watching where she takes you, linguistically speaking.

It is the paid version that must have worried my student. When you pay, you have options. You could decide what kind of AI girl or boy you want to have. Would you like it to be flirtatious, seductive, innocent, dominating, reflective, caring, submissive, ...... You would be allowed to decide even the body type, hairstyle, size and shape of the A.S.S (excuse my French) and more.

While as a language teacher, you might not find it your responsibility to take care of your student's ethics and morality, you have to think twice.

First, you could hardly beat an AI girl/boy friend in physical features as well as artistic skills of seduction and flirtation, could you? As a person and a teacher, you are tied with social norms and mannerisms.

Secondly, Virtual space is well-established to be addictive. your students would most probably get addicted to their AI friends and pay less and less visits to you. You might have to consider holding language rehabilitation classes, not language classes.

Now, I wonder why a language teacher should ever recommend virtual AI friendship. It could be a demonic rival. what do you think?

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