SK telecom launches real-time call interpretation service

[Courtesy of SK telecom]

South Korean mobile carrier SK telecom Co. announced Thursday that it will launch a service that provides artificial intelligence (AI)-based real-time translation of voice conversations for iPhone users.

The company’s A dot Interpretation Call service is grabbing the market’s attention as it is the first of its kind in Korea that provides real-time interpretation over the phone. Previously, interpretation was only possible via separate translation applications or using video call tools.

During a demonstration, a user opened a demo phone, updated the A dot app from the App Store, and authenticated themselves as a SK telecom subscriber.

After pressing the newly added Interpretation Call button, the user pressed Start Interpretation, and made a call to an accommodation overseas, saying he would like to reserve a 2-night stay in Korean.

A message saying, “Wait a moment, the conversation will now be transmitted through the interpreter,” promptly followed.

After 2 to 3 seconds, the AI conveyed the translated text to the other party in English. The interpretation is available not only between Korean and foreign languages but also among different foreign languages.

The person receiving the interpretation call is notified by a message before the call starts that states that the call is being interpreted.

A dot Interpretation Call operates by first converting the caller’s voice into text, sending it to the server for AI translation, and then returning the translated text to be converted back into speech by AI.

SK telecom expects A dot Interpretation Call service to be useful for foreigners residing in Korea.

“We will continue to make efforts to enhance A dot as an AI personal assistant, expanding support for various languages,” SK telecom’s head of AI service Kim Yong-hoon said.

A dot Interpretation Call is available to all SK telecom A dot iPhone users, regardless of whether the call recipient uses an iPhone or is an A dot AI phone user. SK telecom plans to offer the same service on Android phones moving forward.

But Samsung Electronics Co. also plans to include real-time interpretation call features starting with Galaxy smartphones equipped with on-device AI, and SK telecom’s service may not have a significant impact on Galaxy smartphones.

Samsung Electronics highlights that there is no need to install a separate app to use the interpretation feature, ensuring security by not sending call content to external sources such as the cloud. The feature will likely be available on the flagship Galaxy S24 series set, which could be unveiled as early as January 2024.

As the company integrates the service into its smartphones without requiring a separate app, only customers who purchase the Galaxy S24 will be able to use it initially. Samsung Electronics plans to interpret between Korean and English initially and expand language support in the future.

Industry observers noted that the competition in AI interpretation will intensify in 2024, as services that use AI technology are becoming more prevalent.