Google harnesses AI to expand Google Translate with 110 additional languages

Google has significantly expanded Google Translate by incorporating 110 new languages, marking its largest expansion to date. Using the PaLM 2 model, Google included languages spoken by approximately 8% of the global population. These additions range from widely spoken languages like Cantonese and Pakistani Punjabi to more niche ones such as Manx and Tok Pisin.

The AI-driven approach enabled Google Translate to expand rapidly by mastering closely related languages like Awadhi and various French creoles. About a quarter of the new languages are African, including Fon, Swati, and Wolof, some spoken by small indigenous groups. Languages like Manx, once considered dormant, are now experiencing a resurgence.

Google Translate is accessible via web platforms and native apps for Android and iOS. Previously, Google used AI to integrate 24 languages into Translate in 2022 through a "zero-shot" machine learning system, which did not require specific examples for translation.

This expansion is part of Google’s ambitious 1,000 Languages Initiative, aiming to make the most commonly spoken 1,000 languages accessible through AI translation. While achieving this goal may take time, this latest advancement demonstrates significant progress toward enhancing global linguistic accessibility.