GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Dr. Leadriane Roby may not speak Spanish, but Artificial Intelligence is making communication easier at GRPS for those who do.
Recently, the Grand Rapids School District (GRPS) has started using a new AI Tool that can translate English to another language, like Spanish, using the speakers voice, even syncing up the audio to their mouth.
"As you look at the video and hear the sound from it, there's nothing that would give you an indication that it is utilizing a digital voice," said Leon Hendrix, communications director for GRPS. "But it is using utilizing a digital rendition of the superintendent's voice to speak in Spanish."
Right now, the AI translator is being used for Vlogs by Superintendent Roby. They've already used the software on two videos about their Reimagine GRPS Plan.
"There's still that barrier between our leaders and our families, that we're hoping this technology helps remove, we want our Spanish-speaking families to hear our message," said Hendrix.
According to Leon Hendrix, 28 percent of GRPS students use Spanish to communicate with their family members, with 40% of students identifying as Hispanic.
"We have a sizable part of our audience that is pre-literate, our families that are pre-literate, and we still want them to be able to engage in what we're doing," said Hendrix. "So having the spoken word is so much more accessible than even the the translation in the text on screen or the written word."
After an AI translation is recorded, it is then sent out to native Spanish Speakers in the district to be approved for accuracy before it's sent out to the public.
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