Microsoft has unveiled Interpreter, a new Microsoft Teams feature for real-time speech-to-speech translation.
Interpreter was showcased at Microsoft’s Ignite conference this week. It will use artificial intelligence to simulate users’ voices in languages including English, Chinese, and Spanish.
“The Interpreter agent enables real-time interpretation in Teams meetings in up to nine languages so each participant can speak and listen in the language of their choice,” according to Microsoft.
Microsoft’s Interpreter will be available to Microsoft 365 subscribers, and a preview version will be released early next year.
The feature is opt-in only and does not store users’ biometric data, a Microsoft spokesperson said. “Voice simulation can only be enabled when users provide consent via a notification during the meeting or by enabling ‘Voice simulation consent’ in settings.”
The company also announced a new Presentation Translator tool at Ignite, which can translate PowerPoints into up to 40 languages through AI suite Copilot.
“Copilot will translate the text in text boxes shapes, tables, charts, speaker notes, comments, and smart-art. It saves time and money, and promotes inclusivity,” said Microsoft spokesperson Abigail Schilbach.
Presentation Translator will roll out over December and January.
Microsoft’s (NASDAQ: MSFT) share price closed at US$412.87, down from the previous day’s $414.66. Its market cap is US$3.1 trillion.