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Comment by amazingamazing | Hacker News Reader

The simplest argument against AI is the fact no public company appears to be making money on it, minus revenue that contributes to AI infrastructure.

Would love to see broken down counter example of public company.

So far Chegg and Duolingo have been devastated. Surely they could cut costs drastically with AI?

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I don't know about Chegg, but the fundamental problem with Duolingo is their product does nothing to teach people a foreign language. The nasty reality of that product is if you go through their entire learning tree in a language, you might be at a CEFR level A1 for that language. And, you spent 10x the time and 10x the money you would have spent via something like Lingoda to get the same outcome.

This claim is just not true. And gets tiresome. You roughly end up where those courses claim to be in reading and listening - depending on language it can be over B1. (No course finishes B2, some do have B2 content). I ended up being able to watch some (not all) netflix series in foreign langue and I was in early B1 section. I clearly learned.

You also dont have to pay.

I speak 4 foreign languages, at (fully tested through exams like the DALF, DELE, Goethe Institute) levels of C2, C1, C1 and B2. Take an actual test proving your knowledge and get back to me.

I've spent a lot of time with Duolingo learners. They're all pre-A1. You're just lying to yourself to make yourself think your phone addiction isn't "that bad." Take a real language class.

> Take a real language class.

It is simple. I do not want to and have absolutely no reason to take the language class. So, why would I? They costs money, time and are not something to look forward to. I got actual visible measurable results. Why would I changed?

Besides, language classes also fail. Going to language classes for years and not being able to use the language in any practical situation was always fairly common result.

> I've spent a lot of time with Duolingo learners. They're all pre-A1.

I know people who tested B2 after doing nothing but Duolingo German. And like I said, I can watch Netflix shows and read books in language I used Duolingo for. That is definitely something.

I guarantee you that you do NOT know someone who tested B2 using an actual proctored Goethe Institute test, after only using DuoLingo.

> Why would I changed?

Exactly.

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