Goodbye to studying English: New Microsoft Teams feature lets you speak more than 30 languages
Everything seems to indicate that these are not good times for translators. We mean people, not internet tools. A few days ago, there was news that the translation profession is practically at risk of extinction due to artificial intelligence. Now, a new development related to Microsoft Teams seems to highlight and practically confirm it.
Essentially, Microsoft Teams will be able to handle up to 31 different languages. A service that until not so long ago would have seemed like a bit of science fiction, but now, based on information provided by the company founded by Bill Gates, it could be just around the corner. And it’s more intuitive than you might have imagined.
Microsoft Teams is introducing a new feature that will allow meeting participants to communicate in different languages with greater fluency. Basically, it will use real-time voice-to-speech translation, and yes, it will be powered by AI. What does this mean? Well, the AI itself will mimic your voice so that the “trick” sounds as similar to you as possible.
This innovation, as announced by Microsoft itself and echoed by various media outlets, already has an approximate release date. It is expected to be available in a preview version for Microsoft Teams in early 2025. However, at first, this translator will have some limitations. And one in particular: it will only allow the use of nine different languages.
However, Microsoft Teams plans to expand its capabilities sooner rather than later. Meetings can include up to 31 languages, so there will be many possibilities to meet and communicate with people from all over the world, almost regardless of their geographical origin or not.
- Other new features in Microsoft Teams
In addition to the instant translation tools, Microsoft will also include features designed to improve what is shared through Teams. The tool will be able to generate automatic summaries of PowerPoint presentations or web pages shared during meetings. This means that users will have an easier time reviewing the main points at any time.
Similarly, Microsoft’s AI tool Copilot will provide summaries of files shared in a Teams chat. This feature promises to speed up work by eliminating the need to open entire documents to understand their content.