Samsung and Apple's Real-Time Translation Tested: Barriers Remain

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Apple introduced the 'real-time interpretation' feature on the 19th alongside the launch of its wireless earbuds, the 'AirPods Pro 3'. When speaking in English while using the AirPods, the conversation is interpreted in real time, so the other person's AirPods receive the translation in Portuguese. Samsung Galaxy smartphones also have a feature that automatically interprets conversations with foreigners through the 'Interpretation' app. When using the wireless earbuds, Buzz, users can listen to the translated content via voice.

As AI has become integrated into smart devices, it is now possible to translate different languages using just a smartphone and wireless earbuds. Without needing to install a separate translation app, having a smartphone connected to wireless earbuds allows users to listen to English in Korean and speak Korean to be conveyed in English. Then, can these features truly break down all language barriers like the interpretation devices in science fiction novels?

Smart Device Interpretation

We tested the real-time interpretation feature between English and Korean for Galaxy and Apple (beta) from the 22nd to the 24th during meetings with foreign companies, executive interviews, and conversations with foreigners. Both Samsung and Apple products naturally translated everyday conversations such as greetings, weather, and making appointments. However, with a 1-2 second delay, it was difficult to feel that the conversation flowed smoothly. This is because the real-time interpretation feature involves the earbuds receiving a foreign language, the connected smartphone’s AI converting it to text, translating it, and then sending the synthesized voice back to the earbuds. If there was any stuttering, it would recognize the sentence as ended and only translate up to that point.

Translation of industry-specific terms and proper nouns outside of everyday conversation was disappointing. For example, 'generative AI (Gen AI)' was translated as 'gene AI (Gene AI)', and 'DRAM' as 'Direm', showing ineptitude with less commonly learned words. Google’s AI model 'Gemini' was even translated as 'twin'. However, frequently used terms like AI and 5G were well-translated between English and Korean. A source from the tech industry stated, "Specialized terms often overlap with everyday meanings, leading to mistranslations if the context is not fully understood," adding, "Names, places, and brand names should be recognized as-is rather than translated, but if the overall context is hard to grasp, they can be confused with everyday terms."

Separate Interpretation for Industrial Use?

The tech industry believes real-time interpretation AI will develop separately for everyday use on devices like smartphones and for industrial applications. While smartphone-based translation prioritizes lightweight processing and speed, industrial use requires learning and interpreting specialized terms tailored to specific industries, as even a single word can have significant impacts. Samsung SDS developed an AI interpretation service specialized for enterprises. Starting on the 23rd, Samsung SDS showcased an AI simultaneous interpretation service at the Pacific Insurance Conference, PIC, marking the first provision of AI at a large-scale international event. It provides AI simultaneous interpretation services for four languages: English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.

The industry is also paying attention to 'hybrid interpretation,' where AI and human interpreters complement each other. This involves AI-based real-time translation and professional interpreters conducting interpretation together. Human interpreters correct contexts or specialized terms that AI alone cannot detect. U.S.-based KUDO deploys an AI system capable of interpreting and translating over 60 languages and professional interpreters fluent in 200 languages simultaneously at various global industrial events.

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