With AI translators becoming more and more active, is language learning even necessary?

Yes. AI conveys the words spilled not the feelings of the speaker.

Have you ever noticed there are words in one language that just don’t translate properly into another? Chinese is full of these! Take “人情” (rénqíng)—it’s often translated as “human feelings” or “favor,” but it’s so much more. It reflects a deep cultural value around social obligations, reciprocity, and relationships that doesn't quite map to a single English word. Or consider “面子” (miànzi), often translated as “face.” Sure, it’s about reputation, but it’s also about honor, social standing, and the delicate balance of saving or losing face in different interactions. English doesn’t have an equivalent because it’s not as central to Western cultures as it is in Chinese society. Even something simple like “孝” (xiào), usually translated as “filial piety,” embodies a complex mix of respect, duty, and love toward one's parents, deeply tied to Confucian values. These words carry layers of meaning rooted in centuries of cultural, philosophical, and social development. AI can translate the surface meanings, but those cultural depths—the unspoken context, the emotional resonance—often get lost. That’s why learning a language is about so much more than just words; it’s about immersing yourself in a way of thinking and being that AI can’t fully replicate.

Maybe not today, but I do think that in 2-3 years AI will be good enough where auto-translators are fast enough to make conversations feel completely natural, and where they are able to not just convey meaning but also feeling. In my life I've been fluent in a few languages and although the way you convey nuanced feelings might be different, I've found that people are fundamentally similar and have the same deeper meanings to what they say no matter what language they speak. I think AI will master this quickly, especially with the massive corpus of translated written material that is available for them to train on (books, articles, etc)

Language learning offers cultural immersion, personal connections, and cognitive benefits. AI translators are great tools because they provide an alternative way to connect with speakers of other languages.

Learning language is not for comminication only,also for knowing the world info in first-hand.

Knowing a language helps you understand the culture, connect with people on a deeper level, and improve your cognitive skills. AI translators aren't perfect and can miss nuances.

Even Al Translator is amazing, it just a tool or supplement not a replacement of human. If we want deep connection with others, it would be good if we're learning more languages.

I think the online communities will be happy to communicate with AI-powered messengers and voice-translators while offline meeting will still require experts with language skills.

AI will be used for the most part, especially for quick interactions or digital conversations. Language learning is still necessary for those who wish to forge deeper connections and build meaningful relationships. Sometimes knowing how to sound like a native shows how much you care about a country's people and its culture.

While AI translators are becoming increasingly advanced and can help bridge language gaps, language learning remains important for several reasons. AI translators may assist in communication, but they still struggle with context, cultural nuances, idiomatic expressions, and specialized vocabulary. Learning a language enables deeper understanding, fosters cultural connections, and improves cognitive abilities, such as problem-solving and multitasking. Additionally, AI tools often cannot replicate the subtlety and richness of human conversation or the personal experience of learning and engaging with a new culture. Therefore, while AI is a helpful tool, it doesn't replace the long-term benefits and personal growth that come with learning a language.

AI translators are great for quickly understanding content, but they can't replace the human experience of truly connecting through a language. If you want to immerse yourself in a culture, build deeper relationships, or thrive professionally in a multilingual environment, learning the language remains invaluable. It unlocks not just words but also cultural nuances, local humor, and opportunities for personal growth. While AI can bridge language gaps, it’s like having a tool, not a skill—learning a language gives you agency and insight that no translator can replicate.

Language is more than just a tool for communication, it also contains culture. Even if AI can translate and interpret language, it is difficult to perfectly understand cultural nuances and non-verbal communication methods. Human emotions are very complex and diverse, and it is difficult for AI to accurately recognize and respond to them. AI can play a big role in increasing the efficiency of language learning and improving accessibility, but because language is not just a tool but a complex system that embodies culture and human life, it will be difficult for AI to completely replace it.

Language learning is still valuable for cultural understanding, communication nuance, and personal growth, beyond what AI can provide.