Millions of Microsoft Teams users are about to get a new translation feature, no AI required
Interpreters will be able to switch the direction of the languages they’re translating between with the push of a button.
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What you need to know
Microsoft Teams supports live language interpretation within meetings, which allows professional interpreters to be added to non-encrypted meetings. The feature is used by millions of people to facilitate communication across languages, according to Microsoft. Soon, interpreters will be able to swap the direction of language translation with a single click.
The new feature, which is in testing among preview users, is called bidirectional support for language interpretation. With it, an interpreter can change which language they’re translating speech into by tapping or clicking an indicator on their screen. As a result, meetings do not need to have a second interpreter or an additional device to support translation back and forth between two languages.
Microsoft Teams | Free at Microsoft
The new unified app for Microsoft Teams supports personal, work, and education accounts. The app itself is free, though there are several business plans that provide additional features for paid subscribers.
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To use the feature, you need to be a member of the Teams Public Preview or Microsoft 365 Targeted release. Bidirectional support for language interpretation is available on both Windows and macOS. Testing the feature with other users does not require everyone to sign up to be a preview member.
Microsoft first rolled out interpretation support to Teams in 2022. While many apps, including Teams, support automated translation in various formats, those features are not as accurate as a professional interpreter.
Microsoft outlined how the feature works in itsTech Community post:
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
