Startup Battling Duolingo to Replace Language Tutors With AI

Some 15 million people have downloaded the app from AI unicorn Speak to practice conversing with its interactive AI tutor and become more fluent and confident in speaking a foreign language, Danielle Chemtob reported for Forbes Daily.

Built primarily on OpenAI’s models, the app encourages users to practice enunciating commonly used words and phrases out loud. (Photo: Speak)

That traction has helped the startup reach a major milestone — the company announced today that it has surpassed $100 million in annualized revenue.

After gaining ground in countries like Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, Speak began a concerted push into the U.S. market earlier this year in June.

Founded in 2016, Speak offers a voice-based AI coach that role-plays real-world scenarios — such as ordering drinks at a restaurant, asking for directions, or making small talk with a classmate — to help users practice speaking a new language in natural settings.

Built primarily on OpenAI’s models, the app encourages users to practice enunciating commonly used words and phrases out loud. Learners can also create their own custom scenarios by prompting the AI software.

Features like leaderboards and streaks that track daily usage help users stay consistent. And it’s not just for English learners. Speak offers its role-plays and lesson plans in five additional languages: Korean, Spanish, Japanese, French, and Italian.