Simultaneous translation services are undergoing rapid development thanks to the huge boom in artificial intelligence technologies, which has opened the door to direct competition between tech giants, led by Google and OpenAI. In a new move, Google has begun testing an innovative feature within Google Translate that allows users to obtain multiple alternative translations for a single text, with differences in wording and style to suit the required context, whether formal, informal, or more intimate.
The new feature, spotted by Android Authority, appears to the user after entering and translating the text, where they can click on the "Show Alternatives" option to display three different versions that carry the same meaning but in different linguistic styles. With this step, Google aims to make translation more flexible and closer to real human usage, especially in different social and professional situations. This feature has appeared in a beta version of the Google Translate app on Android, with expectations that it will later be rolled out to all users.
Meanwhile, OpenAI has launched a new service called ChatGPT Translate, a relatively independent platform under the ChatGPT umbrella that focuses on translating text between around 50 languages. Although the service is simple compared to the advanced capabilities of Google Translate, such as translating images, voice conversations, and websites, it offers a different approach to translation.
ChatGPT Translate provides interactive buttons that allow users to control the style of the translated text, such as academic, simplified for children, or formal for business. Once the style is selected, the user is taken to the main ChatGPT platform with a ready-made command that reflects the desired tone. Experts believe that this approach reflects the different philosophies of the two companies, with Google focusing on inclusivity and integration, while OpenAI is betting on personalization and linguistic style, making the field of smart translation open to further innovation and competition in the coming period.