One of the great challenges in learning new skills is being able to put them to practice in real scenarios. Although practicing in real scenarios offers critical learning, it also comes with serious risks. Can AI be the answer in creating on the job learning without the risks? My guest is an internationally recognized expert in AI in education and the technology he created helps people learn faster and more effectively. Dr Lewis Johnson co-founded Alelo in 2005 as a spinout of the University of Southern California, under his leadership Alelo has developed into a major producer of AI-driven learning products focusing on communication skills.

We recently ran across Alelo (www.alelo.com), The company's very engaging, interactive 3D role playing games teach languages like Arabic and Pashto to troops being deployed to the Middle East. Using speech recognition and other technology, the titles teach foreign languages to players as they go through the game in simulated environments like Iraq. We spoke with Dr. W. Lewis Johnson, CEO of Alelo, about the firm's technology and plans. Ben Kuo: Tell us a little bit about Alelo, and what the company and product does?