From Wired, this is the big interview, where we'll get to know the people beyond the headlines,

in conversations that explore the intersection of technology, power, and culture.

I'm Katie Drummond, Wired's global editorial director.

What happens when you hear this in the wild?

Happy, warm feelings.

Then there's this one.

If you're totally lost right now, you are either safe from or totally missing out on the addiction that is Duolingo.

For the Duolingo diehards, you may not remember a time when that green owl and pissed-off

purple teenager weren't in your life.

And while viral avatars and Pavlovian sound cues may not have figured into his original idea,

Luis von On, CEO and co-founder of Duolingo, wants to do a lot more than teach you how to

order ramen in Japanese. The Pittsburgh-based learning app has had a dazzling rise.

But as the ascent of AI threatens the whole idea that we even need to learn new languages,

I wanted to talk to Luis about whether he thinks people even want to learn anymore at all.

Here's our conversation.

Luis von An, CEO of Duolingo.

Welcome to the big interview.

Thank you for having me.

Thank you for being here.

It's so nice to have you here in person. So we always start these conversations with a few quick questions, like a little, like a warm up for your brain.

Are you ready?

Sure.

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