AI translation hits one billion minutes as events industry adopts the technology
Wordly, an AI translation provider, has processed one billion minutes of live translation and captions since launching in 2019. The company says this work has generated more than US$200 million in savings across 300,000 sessions in 120 countries.
The savings claim rests on a comparison between Wordly's pricing and the cost of hiring human interpreters. Wordly's calculator shows customers typically save 50% or more versus interpreter fees.
Why the math favors AI
Multilingual events require multiple interpreters per language. An event supporting six languages needs 12 interpreters minimum before the first session begins. A recent survey found 40% of meeting and event planners report attendees speaking six or more non-English languages.
The broader interpretation market is worth US$15.8 billion in 2026, according to Wordly's figures. AI tools are now offering multilingual support at a scale many organizers previously could not afford.
Where AI still has limits
The one billion minutes milestone signals real adoption across the events industry. But the reported savings warrant scrutiny-they're based on Wordly's own calculator rather than independent audits of actual event spending.
Human interpreters remain essential in high-stakes settings. Executive summits, medical congresses, policy negotiations, and regulated sectors like healthcare and finance still rely on human expertise for nuance, accuracy, and cultural interpretation that AI tools cannot yet match.
Many regional corporate meetings operated in English only before AI translation became viable. Large international congresses and government meetings have long used interpreters, but AI is expanding multilingual support to events that previously operated without it.
For event professionals managing costs while expanding access, AI for Hospitality & Events resources can help assess where these tools fit your budget and audience needs.
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