Teaching AI to speak new languages

Have you ever wondered how apps get translated into different languages?

Usually, it involves sending thousands of words to human translators who carefully convert every button, message, and menu item. Not only is this time-consuming, but it's also challenging to keep translations consistent. A phrase that appears in multiple places might get translated differently each time, creating confusion for users.

We're trying something new: using AI to help us translate Padlet.

How it works

Our new approach combines AI's speed and consistency with human expertise. First, we choose a language that we have some existing translations for—a language we speak or one for which we've done human translations before. This helps us validate the AI's output quality.

Using ChatGPT o1, we translate all of Padlet's text, drawing on our existing translations as examples. With AI, similar phrases are translated consistently across the platform. Language experts then review these translations, refining them to ensure they're accurate and feel natural to native speakers.

This hybrid process gives us the best of both worlds: We can launch new features rapidly with consistent AI-generated translations, while our human experts add the crucial nuance and cultural understanding that machines can't replicate.

Testing with two languages

We're launching this new translation system with two very different languages.

Urdu: A major world language that will make Padlet more accessible to millions of users. Urdu's rich linguistic features and distinct script make it a perfect test case for our AI-assisted translation process.

Shakespearean English: A playful addition we've been wanting to implement since 2020. Now, with AI, we can transform modern English into clear, theatrical language that adds flair without sacrificing understanding.

Early results

The results have been promising. AI translations have proven remarkably consistent. When a phrase appears in multiple places, it gets translated the same way every time. Our language experts can then focus on fine-tuning these consistent translations rather than starting from scratch.

Try it yourself

Want to explore Padlet in one of these new languages? Just visit your account settings and select your preferred language from the menu. Whether you want to use Padlet in Urdu or add some Shakespearean drama to your boards, the option is yours.

Looking ahead

With the addition of Urdu and Shakespearean English, Padlet is now supported in 44 languages. This is just the beginning of our journey with AI-assisted translations. As we refine this process, we'll be able to add support for more languages more efficiently, making Padlet truly accessible to users worldwide.