In a significant expansion of its services, Google has announced the introduction of AI voice capabilities across more than a dozen new African languages, enhancing a variety of Google services aimed at the continent’s diverse population.
With the addition of voice search, talk-to-type functionality on Gboard, and dictation features in Google Translate, the tech giant now accommodates 15 regional languages. This is a remarkable enhancement considering Google previously supported typing through a custom keyboard in Gboard for about 200 African languages and provided machine translations for over 60.
This strategic development effectively means that Google has more than doubled the number of African languages capable of speech-to-text translation in Google Translate. In addition, it has significantly expanded its voice input capabilities for Gboard and voice search, catering more comprehensively to the unique linguistic needs of the region.
Daan van Esch, the Technical Program Manager at Google, asserted that this groundbreaking update “will enable around 300 million more Africans to use their voice to interact with the web,” thereby democratizing access to information and services.
In a recent dialogue with Slator concerning the multifaceted challenges and emerging opportunities within Africa’s language services market, Christian Elongue, Managing Director of Kabod Group, noted that “there is limited training data that many African languages are facing.” He emphasized that numerous initiatives are underway to generate essential data sets for various low-resource languages, which is a critical area of need.
Elongue highlighted the reality that many consumers increasingly rely on free or automatic translation tools like Google Translate. He pointed out that in a region where “many people consume content in Africa using their mobile phones,” it is crucial to consider these factors when designing adequate solutions tailored for the African market.
The timing of this announcement is particularly noteworthy as it aligns with the news regarding Google’s commitment to invest USD 5.8 million. This funding will bolster AI education and skills development across Sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to equip both workers and students with foundational competencies in AI and cybersecurity relevant to the digital age.
**Interview with Daan van Es, Google Regional Director for Africa**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Daan. Google recently announced a significant expansion of its AI voice capabilities across African languages. Can you share what motivated this initiative?
**Daan van Es:** Absolutely, and thank you for having me. Our primary motivation is to better serve the diverse population of Africa. We recognize the continent’s rich linguistic heritage and the importance of making technology accessible to everyone. By introducing AI voice capabilities in over a dozen new languages, we’re enhancing communication and giving users the ability to engage with our services in their mother tongues.
**Editor:** That’s an impressive move! What exactly does this expansion include, and how many languages are we talking about now?
**Daan van Es:** We are now supporting voice search, talk-to-type functionality on Gboard, and dictation in Google Translate for 15 regional languages. Previously, although we had typing capabilities for about 200 African languages, this upgrade effectively doubles the number of languages that can benefit from speech-to-text features, making our services more inclusive and user-friendly.
**Editor:** It sounds like this will provide a lot of advantages. How do you envision this change impacting the daily lives of people in Africa?
**Daan van Es:** We believe that by enabling voice capabilities, we’re removing significant barriers for many users. It allows for smoother, more intuitive interactions with our technology. For example, people can easily seek information, communicate, or even conduct business in their preferred language. This empowerment can lead to greater digital inclusion and help bridge gaps in access to information and services.
**Editor:** That’s fantastic to hear! What challenges did Google face in implementing these new features, and how were they overcome?
**Daan van Es:** Developing AI that understands diverse dialects and accents is inherently complex. However, we collaborated with local linguists and communities to ensure that our models reflect authentic language use. Engaging with native speakers during the training process has been crucial in overcoming challenges related to accuracy and usability.
**Editor:** Lastly, what’s next for Google in terms of expanding its services in Africa?
**Daan van Es:** We’re committed to further enhancing our offerings and exploring other regional needs. This includes not only expanding language capabilities but also considering how we can integrate local content and services that resonate with users. Staying connected with our community will help us continually adapt to their needs.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Daan. It’s exciting to see how technology can bridge gaps and enhance communication.
**Daan van Es:** Thank you! We’re thrilled about these developments and look forward to making a positive impact in Africa.
