AI Translation Case Study

Training AI Products to Serve International Customers

Last year, the US voice market reached a total value of over 11 billion dollars, as reported by Statista. Such a high market value is to be expected, considering how voice has revolutionized consumer tech. Voice is the future of interaction.

Voice commands make for a more efficient user experience while guaranteeing that the product is accessible to the visually and physically impaired. But, regardless of whether a product is “screen-first”, with voice as a secondary enhancement, or “voice-first”, making it available for international audiences will require the help of a voice-over team.

All voice-controlled devices in the market, from phones to home assistants, rely on artificial neural networks. These neural networks have to be trained for every task they have to perform. Localizing a voice-controlled product requires training the device for the interactions it will have. And this training can’t be conducted without references. A language services provider (LSP) is essential to produce high-quality training material for a multilingual product. But not all LSPs can embark on this sort of project.

Since 2016, we at Day Translations have been working with a Silicon-valley based venture that focuses on artificial intelligence and deep learning. This company needed our help to develop multilingual voice commands for their products. The project involved more than just voice-over. It required that we provide natural-sounding phrases, in just the right accent. It required insider knowledge into the everyday lives of its international target users.

We put our global network of voice talent at the service of this project. The result was a fully functional, voice-powered user experience in numerous languages. From Canadian French to Russian and Taiwanese Mandarin. Understanding locale-specific nuances, we provided commands for several dialects of the same languages. For instance, we worked with Australian English, American Spanish, UK English, and even Korean-accented English.

Working with experts from our client’s target cultures, we developed over 200 commands that represent the needs, lifestyle, and communication preferences of international customers. In this case study, we share more about this breakthrough project.