AI and Language Teaching: Will Synthetic Humans Replace Teachers?

Hour One and Berlitz Partner to Revolutionize Language Learning

Hour One, an innovative startup specializing in the creation of 'photoreal' presenters capable of delivering text in any language with remarkable realism, has announced a strategic partnership with Berlitz.

This collaboration will enable the renowned language learning organization to enhance its existing instructor-led courses and significantly expand its online language training offerings.

Expanding Access and Overcoming Traditional Limitations

Traditionally, scaling language instruction necessitates the recruitment and training of a substantial number of human teachers. Berlitz is leveraging Hour One’s platform to circumvent this limitation.

“Berlitz has consistently prioritized student success and fluency, built upon a deeply human-centric learning approach,” stated Curt Uehlein, CEO of Berlitz. “Our digital platforms needed to mirror the effectiveness of a traditional classroom setting.”

Uehlein further explained that this successful replication allows Berlitz to broaden its market reach and improve accessibility for students, eliminating obstacles related to geographical location and cost.

The Power of Photorealistic AI Presenters

Hour One’s technology effectively recreates the in-person instructor experience through highly realistic, photorealistic characters.

These characters exhibit natural facial expressions and gestures, coupled with precisely synchronized speech. Independent observation confirms the software’s impressive level of realism.

The integration of AI allows for the generation of course content without the need for traditional studio recordings with human speakers.

A Bold Step into the Future of Language Education

Oren Aharon, CEO of Hour One, commented: “While some companies treat innovation as secondary, Berlitz has wholeheartedly adopted our technology to drive business growth and lead the way into a new era of language learning.”

Funding and Growth

Founded in Israel and recently established in New York, Hour One has secured $5 million in funding from Galaxy Interactive, Kindred Ventures, and Remagine Ventures.

This investment will support the company’s continued development and expansion of its AI-powered presentation technology.

The partnership with Berlitz represents a significant milestone for Hour One, validating its technology and demonstrating its potential to transform the landscape of language education.