Unbabel has introduced Widn.AI, a new AI-driven translation service, marking a significant step in the company’s evolution and challenging a competitive field. The service is powered by Unbabel’s proprietary large language model (LLM) called Tower, which facilitates AI translation in 32 languages. Widn.AI aims to replace the traditional hybrid translation approach, which previously combined machine learning with human oversight, by eliminating the need for human editors entirely in most cases.
Vasco Pedro, Unbabel’s CEO, discussed the transition during an interview at the Web Summit in Lisbon, where he explained that when the company began a decade ago, AI technology was not advanced enough for fully automated translation. At that time, the company focused on combining AI with human editing to improve translation quality. However, with rapid advancements in AI, Unbabel now believes that AI alone can handle translation tasks effectively.
Pedro stated, “Translation is now fully in the realm of AI capabilities,” and suggested that, within three years, humans will no longer be needed for routine translation work. While he acknowledged that humans still have an edge in particularly complex cases, he emphasized that AI’s progress in this field has significantly closed the gap.
Widn.AI represents a shift from Unbabel’s previous model, which used machine learning for translation but required human editors to ensure accuracy. The new AI system aims to fully automate the translation process, eliminating the need for human involvement except in the most complex scenarios. Pedro added that while AI could handle most translation needs, humans would still be responsible for quality control and ensuring that translations are used appropriately.
The launch of Widn.AI comes as competition in the translation space intensifies, with companies like Google Translate and the German startup DeepL already offering their own AI-powered services. Pedro also noted that while the cost per word translated will likely decrease, the overall volume of translated content will increase, ensuring continued growth for Unbabel.
To support the development of Widn.AI, Unbabel is seeking to raise between $20 million and $50 million in funding, with the goal of accelerating the service’s capabilities and market expansion.
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