Not just AI: How LookUp uses Foundation Models responsibly for its Learning tools.
Centered around user needs, LookUp's AI features go above and beyond to make sure that the learning experience for English Learners is accurate and reliable.
With iOS 26, LookUp now has access to Apple’s on-device Large Language Models, making it easier to integrate AI into the app’s features when needed. LookUp’s AI vision has always been grounded in human goals and actions people perform to achieve them. Helping them learn better through thoughtful interventions.
LookUp 11.1 introduced Explainers and Pronunciation Tips. LookUp 12 goes one step further and adds new learning modes to the app, that help people build vocabulary in ways that enable them to actually build a better understanding of how to use the words in every day situations.
New Learning Modes
LookUp 12 uses the on-device Foundation Models to generate a set of example sentence quizzes. These quizzes, understand the person’s context and create a set of example sentences that enables people to better understand the word.
English Learners need a way to get better at using words in real world situations.
English Learners learn how to use a word by taking quizzes that quiz them on their understanding of a word, based on how it’s used in every day conversation.
Responsibly using AI
These learning modes aren’t just using foundation models to generate content. They are going through a methodologically crafted workflow to act on pre-defined guard rails to provide a holistic and reliable learning experience.
What that means is we use our own learning engine built on scientifically proven spaced repetition techniques and learning methods before ever giving AI any thing to generate. This ensures that the learning experience is one that’s reliable and not error prone.
Origin Maps
This is what a words origin looks like usually. I don’t know about you, but I am a visual person and this isn't a fulfilling or easy to understand experience for me.
English learners benefit when information is presented to them visually and one of the best ways of showing a word’s origins is to traverse its roots through space and time.
LookUp enables English learners to build their understanding of a word’s origins by visually interpreting its history on a map.
Responsibly using AI:
How do we use AI here? We use the on-device LLMs to transform the word’s etymology into a visual map that represents the word’s usage.
Again, LookUp isn’t just just asking the LLM to generate a map, it provides the Word, it’s etymology, and additional information that might help the LLM generate a comprehensive map.
Did you notice any sparkles here? Me neither. LookUp's AI features are rooted in real human needs and not in the urgency to use the shiniest – coolest new technology; and this is merely a first stab at Foundation Models.
As I play with them, I am sure I'll be able to create more useful features.