Sunnyvale residents who do not speak English now have a new opportunity to actively engage and participate in city meetings.
The city is currently testing an AI-driven translation service provided by Wordly for public meetings upon request. This technology enables real-time translation into over 50 languages. City officials emphasize that utilizing AI for translation is more cost-effective and efficient compared to human translators.
Mayor Larry Klein expressed his enthusiasm for this initiative, stating, “We have such a diverse community with various cultures and languages. Overcoming these barriers is a significant step towards inclusivity for residents who have previously been marginalized.” This sentiment was shared with San José Spotlight.
Wordly, as advertised on its website, has collaborated with several cities, including Gilroy. In Gilroy, residents attending government meetings can access Wordly translations in over 30 languages by scanning a QR code.
A distinguishing feature of Sunnyvale’s implementation of Wordly is its ability to translate across multiple languages simultaneously, such as English to Spanish and vice versa. Mayor Klein highlighted the advantages of the AI translation software, noting its comparable accuracy to human interpreters.
During a recent Sunnyvale City Council meeting, residents requested the use of this technology to assist Spanish-speaking attendees in following the proceedings and providing public comments. City spokesperson Jennifer Garnett mentioned that residents can request accommodations through the city clerk’s office.
The initial use of Wordly was introduced last spring during meetings of the Human Relations Commission, which focuses on equity and inclusion issues. The live translation feature has facilitated seamless communication among commissioners, especially those with language-specific preferences.
Other local cities, like Milpitas, also offer translation services upon request. San Jose took a similar step by providing in-person human translators at all city council meetings following an incident where Spanish-speaking residents were relocated to a separate room. The city now offers live translation in Spanish and Vietnamese via Zoom.
The cost-effectiveness of AI translation is evident, with Sunnyvale paying \(112.50 per hour of service usage, totaling approximately \)4,308 for over 38 hours. In contrast, hiring a human translator could cost up to $400 per hour.
Jennifer Garnett highlighted the advantages of AI translation, stating, “This method facilitates smoother dialogue compared to live interpreters. Achieving the same results with Wordly would have required two to four live interpreters.”
For further inquiries, contact B. Sakura Cannestra at [email protected] or @SakuCannestra on X, formerly known as Twitter.
