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UMass Amherst alumni Ethan Gorman ’21, a graduate of the College of Engineering, and Reed Young ’21, an Isenberg School of Management graduate who is also currently pursuing his MBA at Isenberg, have launched Avita, an AI-powered language-learning app designed to help learners build real, conversational skills.

The idea for Avita emerged while the founders were living in both Argentina and Ecuador, where they left their jobs to learn Spanish through immersion. During that time, they observed that informal language exchanges often became spaces for professional networking, cultural exchange and mutual support, insights that shaped Avita’s design.

Unlike traditional language-learning platforms focused on memorization and gamification, Gorman and Young say that Avita emphasizes conversation, accessibility and real-world usage, using AI to simulate natural dialogue while encouraging curiosity, cultural understanding and confidence.

Reflecting Avita’s mission foster connection and community, and as part of the app’s launch, Gorman and Young will host a free community language and culture exchange in Boston on Thursday, Jan. 29. More information about the Avita app and the launch party can be found on the app’s Instagram feed, @avita.app.