Microsoft has unveiled breakthrough technology that is revolutionizing the way we communicate across language barriers. The tech giant’s latest Microsoft Teams feature uses advanced AI to replicate speakers’ voices while translating their words into different languages in near real-time.
The new AI interpreter supports nine languages at launch, including Mandarin Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanish. Microsoft Corporate Vice President Nicole Herskowitz emphasizes the democratic nature of this technology y Microsoft AI, stating: “Some companies don’t even have the option of an interpreter. I see this as a way to provide a high-quality translation experience.”
Privacy remains paramount in this implementation. Users must explicitly consent to voice simulation during meetings, with options to disable voice replication in favor of standard interpreter voices. The system also includes multilingual transcription capabilities, providing original and translated content side-by-side.
While competitors such as Zoom and Google have introduced various interpretation features, Microsoft’s voice simulation technology represents a significant advancement. Zoom’s 2022 interpretation feature requires human interpreters, while Google Workspace offers caption translation in multiple languages.
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The technology’s potential extends beyond business meetings. For example, New York Mayor Eric Adams has already used similar AI voice simulation technology to communicate with residents in multiple languages. The technology also shows promise in medical applications, particularly for people with conditions such as ALS.
Microsoft plans to expand the language offering and has announced additional features such as Copilot Actions for automated task creation and custom AI bots for specific document-based queries.