This article was co-written with the help of both ChatGPT and Google Bard as a demonstration of the technology discussed in this article. You can also read along with Aberdeen's President, Matt Cook in the recording below - but not really, this is Matt's voice cloned using a short clip of Matt's voice given to AI.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized numerous industries, and its influence on language-related technologies is particularly remarkable. In this blog post, we will explore how AI is transforming closed captioning, language translation, and even the creation of cloned voices. These advancements not only enhance accessibility and inclusion but also have far-reaching implications for communication in an increasingly globalized world.
AI in Closed Captioning
Closed captioning is an essential feature for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, enabling them to access audiovisual content. Traditional closed captioning methods rely on human transcriptionists, however, AI-powered speech recognition algorithms have made significant strides in this field.
Using deep learning techniques, AI models can more accurately transcribe spoken words into text, providing real-time closed captioning. This is not up to the FCC guidelines for broadcast but is oftentimes good enough for other situations where the alternative is to have no closed captions at all. These models continuously improve their accuracy by analyzing large amounts of data and learning from diverse sources. As a result, AI has made closed captioning more accessible, enabling individuals to enjoy online videos with greater ease.
Our team is working hard to develop and launch AberScribe, our new AI transcript application powered by OpenAI, sometime in mid-2024. From any audio/video source file, the AberScribe app will create an AI-generated transcript that can be edited in our online transcript editor and exported into various caption formats. AberScribe will also have added features for creating other AI-generated resources from that final transcript. Resources like summaries, glossaries of terms, discussion questions, interactive worksheets, and many more - the possibilities are endless.
Language barriers have long hindered effective communication between people from different linguistic backgrounds. However, AI-powered language translation has emerged as a game-changer, enabling real-time multilingual conversations and seamless understanding across different languages.
Machine Translation (MT) models, powered by AI, have made significant strides in accurately translating text from one language to another. By training on vast amounts of multilingual data, these models can understand and generate human-like translations, accounting for context and idiomatic expressions. This has empowered businesses, travelers, and individuals to engage in cross-cultural communication effortlessly.
In addition to written translation, AI is making headway in spoken language translation as well. With technologies like neural machine translation (NMT), AI systems can listen to spoken language, translate it in real-time, and produce synthesized speech in the desired language. This breakthrough holds immense potential for international conferences, tourism, and fostering cultural exchange.
Cloned Voices and AI
The advent of AI has brought about significant advancements in speech synthesis, allowing for the creation of cloned voices that mimic the speech patterns and vocal identity of individuals. While cloned voices have sparked debates regarding ethical use, they also present exciting possibilities for personalization and accessibility.
AI-powered text-to-speech (TTS) models can analyze recorded speech data from an individual, capturing their vocal characteristics, intonations, and nuances. This data is then used to generate synthetic speech that sounds remarkably like the original speaker. This technology can be immensely beneficial for individuals with speech impairments, providing them with a voice that better aligns with their identity.
Moreover, cloned voices have applications in industries like entertainment and marketing, where celebrity voices can be replicated for endorsements or immersive experiences. However, it is crucial to navigate the ethical considerations surrounding consent and proper usage to ensure that this technology is used responsibly.
Conclusion
Artificial Intelligence continues to redefine the boundaries of accessibility, communication, and personalization in various domains. In the realms of closed captioning, language translation, and cloned voices, AI has made significant strides, bridging gaps, and enhancing user experiences. As these technologies continue to evolve, it is vital to strike a balance between innovation and ethical considerations, ensuring that AI is harnessed responsibly to benefit individuals and society as a whole.
