Ever since we became parents, we’ve had to choose tools that weren’t available when we were children, and artificial intelligence is just the most recent example.

In the context of learning a language, AI can offer something that was previously hard to deliver consistently, namely a patient conversational partner, instant feedback, personalized exercises, and the opportunity to repeat the same activity without embarrassment — something that can be extremely valuable for a child studying a new language.

Yet I think the real issue is not whether children should use AI to learn languages, but how we would like them to use it.

It is more than just knowledge of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation; it includes culture, confidence, curiosity, humor, empathy, and the ability to connect with another human being. Although AI can assist in the learning process, it should not replace teachers, parents, classmates, books, real conversations, or the experience of making mistakes in front of others and learning from them.

For parents—particularly those who never had this technology when they were growing up—the problem isn’t to oppose AI or to accept it unquestioningly; it is to understand it well to guide our children.

If used properly, AI can make language education more accessible, more tailored to individuals, and more interesting. Still, if used without any guidance, it can simply become yet another screen that provides instant answers without helping to develop better skills.

Maybe the thing we should be doing isn’t trying to prepare children for a world without AI, since that kind of world is already vanishing. Instead, our aim should be to help them grow into capable, curious, and responsible human beings in a world where AI is everywhere.