AI simultaneous interpretation helps you master 100 languages instantly. AI同声传译帮你瞬间精通100种语言。
图一、“科幻”照进现实 Image 1: "Science Fiction" Becomes Reality
如今,许多人对AI翻译软件已经耳熟能详,这些软件大多基于文字翻译技术,并逐渐融入AI语音合成功能,尝试模拟同声传译的体验。比如,科大讯飞同传、有道翻译官和腾讯翻译君等产品,都是这个领域的佼佼者。这类软件通常的工作原理是:先识别语音并转化为文字,之后通过自然语言处理算法进行翻译,最后将翻译后的句子逐句转化为语音播放,实现“实时翻译”。
然而,这一流程带来的延迟是不可避免的。为了减少延迟,部分翻译软件放弃了语音播放功能,仅显示翻译后的文字,像“字幕”一样滚动更新。尽管输入的变化可能导致翻译频繁调整,但取消语音播放后,翻译结果呈现得更迅速、连续,提升了用户体验。
而AI同声传译模型采用了完全不同的策略。
近年来,随着AI模型的突飞猛进,真正追求低延迟、直接将语音翻译为语音的同声传译模型开始崭露头角。2024年,Meta的Seamless-Streaming、中科院的StreamSpeech,以及知了未来的同传v3模型都引发了广泛关注,这些模型致力于模仿真人同声传译,边“听”边判断内容是否完整,而非立即翻译。
Meta在AI领域举足轻重,其Seamless-Streaming模型通过“EMMA”策略判断翻译时机,成功实现了约3秒的延迟翻译,这相较于传统AI翻译软件的15秒延迟是质的飞跃,虽偶有准确度不足的情况,尤其在处理中文时有时会错解“言外之意”。
中科院的StreamSpeech模型则将翻译延迟缩短至惊人的0.3秒,几乎赶上人类反应时间,尽管暂时只支持英法、英西等语言。如此超低延迟也带来了一些问题,翻译内容像是“逐字机翻”,缺少流畅度,这主要是因为模型被迫处理尚未完成的句子。
Today, many people are familiar with AI translation software, mostly based on text translation technology, with increasing integration of AI voice synthesis to simulate the experience of simultaneous interpretation. Leading examples in this field include iFLYTEK's Interpreter, Youdao Translator, and Tencent Translator. Typically, these applications operate by recognizing speech, converting it to text, translating via natural language processing, and then converting the translation back to audio, achieving “real-time translation.”
However, this process inevitably introduces delays. To reduce latency, some software opts to display translated text only, continuously updating like “subtitles.” While frequent input changes may lead to translation adjustments, removing the audio playback allows faster, continuous translation, enhancing user experience.
AI simultaneous interpretation models, however, adopt a completely different approach.
With recent advancements in AI, truly low-latency models have emerged that translate speech directly into speech. In 2024, Meta’s Seamless-Streaming, the Chinese Academy of Sciences' StreamSpeech, and ZhiLiao Future’s Interpretation v3 model have garnered significant attention. These models aim to emulate human simultaneous interpretation, assessing content completeness rather than translating immediately.
Meta, a major force in AI, introduced the Seamless-Streaming model with an “EMMA” strategy for translation timing, achieving a latency of around 3 seconds—a marked improvement over the traditional 15-second delay, though occasionally accuracy suffers, especially when interpreting nuanced Chinese expressions.
The Chinese Academy’s StreamSpeech model, meanwhile, has reduced translation latency to an astonishing 0.3 seconds, nearly matching human reaction time, though currently limited to English-French and English-Spanish translations. This ultra-low latency brings some challenges; translations appear somewhat “mechanical” and less fluent, largely due to the model translating incomplete sentences.
图二、同传基本原理 Image 2: Basic Principles of Simultaneous Interpretation
总的来说,AI同声传译的技术突破让我们离科幻场景中的即时多语言交流越来越近。然而,知了未来的同传v3等软件是否能尽早产品化,还需市场来揭晓答案。究竟哪些场景会率先应用这些技术?谁会成为第一批用户?这些问题悬而未决。
Overall, breakthroughs in AI simultaneous interpretation technology are bringing us closer to the sci-fi vision of instant multilingual communication. However, whether software like ZhiLiao Future's Interpretation v3 can reach productization soon is a question for the market to answer. Which scenarios will first adopt these technologies? Who will be the early users? These questions remain unanswered.
图三、知了未来同传V3 Image 3: ZhiLiaoweilai Interpretation V3
一、空乘播报
在国际航班上,空乘通常需要掌握多国语言以便播报各种信息。AI同声传译技术可以帮助空乘在只需掌握一种语言的情况下,准确无误地向来自不同国家的旅客播报航班信息,消除语言障碍,提升乘客的体验。
二、在线教育
全球化的在线教育平台希望吸引来自各地的学生,但语言障碍依然困扰着很多人。AI同声传译可以帮助讲师提供实时翻译,使全球学生都能无障碍地获取优质课程,打破语言的限制,让更多有天赋的学生脱颖而出。
AI同声传译在这些场景中,能够提供高效、精准的语言转换服务,减少误解和延迟,促进全球化交流的顺利进行。未来,或许更多的使用场景还藏在我们生活的细节中。随着技术的不断完善,AI同声传译终将进入日常生活,成为全球化沟通的基础设施。
未来已来,让我们拭目以待。
1.In-Flight Announcements
On international flights, cabin crew usually need to be fluent in multiple languages to deliver announcements. AI simultaneous interpretation technology can help crew members communicate flight information accurately to passengers from different countries while only needing to know one language, breaking down language barriers and enhancing the passenger experience.
2.Online Education
Global online education platforms aim to attract students from all regions, yet language remains a barrier for many. AI simultaneous interpretation can assist instructors by providing real-time translation, allowing students worldwide to access quality courses without language restrictions, enabling more talented students to stand out.
In these scenarios, AI simultaneous interpretation offers efficient and precise language conversion, reducing misunderstandings and delays, and facilitating smooth global communication. Future applications may lie in the details of our everyday lives. As technology continues to improve, AI simultaneous interpretation will likely become integral to daily life, serving as essential infrastructure for globalized communication.
The future is here; let’s wait and see.