In a Nov. 19 discussion on AI with Sberbank chief Herman Gref, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concerns that AI not lead to a world of experts vs. a world of “button-pushers,” and that the creative capabilities of all students must be developed and enhanced. He noted, for instance, that some people are saying that it is no longer necessary to learn foreign languages, as translations can be done with the push of a button.
Putin objected: “What is the study of a foreign language? It is not merely about using it in daily life or professional activities. A young person must understand that mastering a foreign language immerses them in an entirely different world, offering the opportunity to live another life. It is one thing to read, say, War and Peace in the original, and another to read a translation. This is especially true for poetry. It is one thing to read Heine in translation, even a very good one, and another in the original. There are countless nuances, and a one hundred percent accurate translation is impossible because the subtleties of the author’s intent cannot be fully conveyed. But when you know the language, you immerse yourself in these subtleties, understanding, at least in part, the soul of the native speaker and the soul of that culture. This is an immense cultural value.”
