Virtual Interlocutors for Language Learning

In this presentation, the founder of the Technology in Language Teaching and Learning (TILTAL) group explores the idea of "virtual interlocutors" (chatbots) for language learning.

The presentation starts with a look at some of the latest advances in AI, in particular Google's LaMDA (Language Model for Dialogue Applications).

Following this, the presenter introduces four different web-accessible AI chatbots, including cleverbot.com, kuki.ai, simsimi.com, and replika.com.

Finally, we take a look at different ways of evaluating AI chatbots, including Grice's maxims, and a set of criteria proposed by Google engineers for the LaMDA system.