Google Translate is using AI to help users learn languages

Become fluent with Google AI.
 By 
Christianna Silva
 on 
A Google AI logo is seen displayed on a smartphone with a Google logo in the background.
Google translation just got that much better. Credit: Photo Illustration by Avishek Das/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

That angry green bird just might get angrier.

Google is using Gemini AI to increase the power of Google Translate. Now, Translate allows users to practice new languages by creating personalized listening and speaking practice sessions in their preferred language. Sounds a little bit like Duolingo without its iconic mascot.

"Whether you're an early learner looking to begin practicing conversation or an advanced speaker looking to brush up on vocabulary for an upcoming trip, Translate can now create tailored listening and speaking practice sessions just for you," Matt Sheets, a product manager at Google, wrote in a blog post on Tuesday. "These interactive practices are generated on-the-fly and intelligently adapt to your skill level."


You May Also Like

It's pretty simple to get started. Open the Google Translate app, select "practice," set your skill level and goals, and voila! Translate will create a scenario specifically for you.

"In each scenario, you can either listen to conversations and tap the words you hear to build comprehension, or you can practice speaking with helpful hints available when you need them," Sheets wrote. Google Translate will track your progress with each lesson.

"Following positive feedback from early testers, we're excited to start rolling out this beta experience more broadly in the Translate app for Android and iOS this week," the blog reads. "It's available first for English speakers practicing Spanish and French, as well as for Spanish, French and Portuguese speakers practicing English."

Google also announced other updates to its language learning tools, like real-time translations in the Translate app. All of these updates come from Google's AI and machine learning, which it says have helped the company to make "huge strides in translation quality, multimodal translation, and text-to-speech (TTS) capabilities."

"Every month, people translate around 1 trillion words across Google Translate, Search and in visual translations in Lens and Circle to Search," Sheets wrote. "Now, thanks to AI, we're making it even more effortless to overcome language barriers."

Mashable Image
Christianna Silva
Senior Culture Reporter

Christianna Silva is a senior culture reporter covering social platforms and the creator economy, with a focus on the intersection of social media, politics, and the economic systems that govern us. Since joining Mashable in 2021, they have reported extensively on meme creators, content moderation, and the nature of online creation under capitalism.

Before joining Mashable, they worked as an editor at NPR and MTV News, a reporter at Teen Vogue and VICE News, and as a stablehand at a mini-horse farm. You can follow her on Bluesky @christiannaj.bsky.social and Instagram @christianna_j.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone


What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!