Tech • IA • Crypto
How Preply combines AI and human tutors to personalize learning
7/10TL;DR
Preply is integrating AI “co-pilot” tools to augment language tutors, boosting efficiency, personalization, and long-term learner engagement.
KEY POINTS
AI as a Complement to Human Teaching
Preply positions artificial intelligence as an enhancement rather than a replacement for tutors. Human instructors remain central for motivation, energy, and engagement—qualities that are difficult to replicate technologically. The platform emphasizes that emotional connection and encouragement are still the defining strengths of human-led learning.
Scale of the Platform
The company operates as one of the largest language-learning marketplaces globally, with more than 100,000 tutors, teaching over 90 languages across 180 countries. This scale creates both an opportunity and a challenge in maintaining consistent, high-quality learning experiences.
Automation of Repetitive Tasks
AI is being deployed to handle administrative and repetitive work that tutors often find burdensome. Tasks such as writing personalized lesson plans, summarizing sessions, and generating notes are now partially automated, freeing instructors to focus on teaching itself rather than preparation and documentation.
Launch of “Lesson Insights” Feature
A key innovation is Lesson Insights, an AI-generated recap delivered after each session. It includes a structured summary of what was covered, feedback on performance, identification of improvement areas, and actionable suggestions for continued progress. Both tutors and learners receive these insights, enabling more targeted follow-up.
Shift Toward Personalized Learning
The feature marks a transition from generalized practice to highly individualized instruction. By analyzing each lesson, the system tailors recommendations to immediate learner needs, helping users focus on specific goals rather than broad skill development.
Strong Adoption and Engagement Metrics
Early data indicates high uptake: more than 70% of tutors and 75% of learners have opted into using Lesson Insights. Engagement remains strong over time, with around 70% of active learners still interacting with the feature after one year, suggesting sustained value rather than short-term novelty.
Efficiency Gains for Tutors
Tutors report significant time savings, with preparation and homework creation reduced by more than half in some cases. This efficiency allows instructors to allocate more time to direct interaction with students and less to administrative overhead.
Reliance on High-Accuracy AI Models
Preply selected OpenAI models after benchmarking multiple systems, prioritizing accuracy in language feedback. Precise grammar correction and linguistic analysis are critical, as errors in feedback could undermine trust and learning outcomes.
Broader Impact on Technical Roles
The adoption of advanced AI tools is also influencing engineering workflows. Developers increasingly focus on system design and solving user problems rather than low-level coding tasks, as AI assists with syntax, debugging, and routine coding operations.
CONCLUSION
Preply’s integration of AI demonstrates a hybrid model where human instruction is amplified by automation, improving efficiency and personalization while maintaining the motivational core of teaching.