Generative AI is reaching a fever pitch these days, and I think it's not a good sign for those who are just starting to learn Japanese. Unlike an electronic dictionary or an SRS app, generative AI offers to do the language for students, eliminating the friction of language learning. That friction is necessary for you to learn, so I'd recommend seeking out that pain instead. For new students, I'd challenge you: See if you can study Japanese for three years without generative AI. And at that point reassess and see if it's something you really need. Feel free to reach out with any questions or 悩み事 to howtojapanese@gmail.com. You can also follow How to Japanese on the newsletter, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.