Can the new AirPods make meetings multilingual?

Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3, released last month, feature live translation technology, allowing users to download both the language being spoken and the one they’d like to translate it into.

Dutch-based company Speaksee, meanwhile, launched the Soundshape 1 Pro earlier this month – an AI-powered system that converts spoken words into text and translation in real time. It says that eventually, it should also be possible to stream translations directly to earbuds and assistive devices.

More inclusive meetings

To what extent are real-time translation tools a game-changer for events? Francis Cheong, group CEO at Aavii Worldwide, believes in-person adoption is likely to be higher in select APAC markets such as Vietnam, China, Japan, and South Korea, where the language barrier is more pronounced.

“Diplomatic forums and global conferences, where inclusivity and Q&A richness matter, are natural first adopters,” Cheong noted. “Imagine cross-border networking sessions where delegates can use handheld translation devices to converse freely; that’s when this tool shifts from novelty to necessity.”

“This can democratise collaboration, especially for SMEs, technical experts, or regional voices that may previously have been sidelined.”

Lorela Chia, managing director, GR8 Dreams

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Lorela Chia, managing director of GR8 Dreams, sees profound opportunities to level the field. “There is less barrier, and ideas can flow better – the exchange can be based on substance, not language fluency or accent,” she says. “This can democratise collaboration, especially for SMEs, technical experts, or regional voices that may previously have been sidelined.”

Lost in translation

While they are inclusive, meeting players agree that real-time translation tools have some way to go before they can fully interpret.

“Traditional interpretation relies on skilled humans who understand tone, intent and cultural nuance,” Chia says. “Real-time AI translation, on the other hand, converts speech into another language instantly – but it translates words, not meaning. It’s fast and inclusive, but not contextual – at least not yet.”

As Cheong points out, the cultural nuance of a single word can change meaning entirely; an English idiom may land awkwardly in Vietnamese or Japanese.

"Translation tools can decode words, but they can’t decode perspective (how something is said) or perception (how it is received)."

Francis Cheong, group CEO, Aavii Worldwide

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“Humans are remarkably skilled at bridging gaps through gestures, context, and empathy,” said Cheong. “Translation tools can decode words, but they can’t decode perspective (how something is said) or perception (how it is received).”

The connect-disconnect paradox

Ensuring the tools are not a distraction – potentially taking away from event engagement – is another issue.

“If the tools are clunky, they could absolutely be a distraction,” said Atika Rosli, chief executive at Beyond Events. “The moment delegates spend more time fiddling with earbuds than engaging in the room, you’ve lost them. The best tech should fade into the background, not become another agenda item to troubleshoot.”

“The best tech should fade into the background, not become another agenda item to troubleshoot.”

Atika Rosli, chief executive, Beyond Events

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There are also logistical challenges. “Background noise, strong accents, or poor Wi-Fi can trip up even the smartest AI,” added Rosli.

“There’s also the trust factor. No one wants their confidential board meeting floating around the cloud.”

Fast forward

While wearable translation technology is not new, it has mainly remained in the meetings niche.

Now, with Apple and its track record of leapfrogging widespread adoption and change, we may be a lot closer to a future where earbuds are a normal part of meetings.

This could bring more specialised technology to the forefront, spurring purpose-built designs better able to counter meetings-specific challenges – whether contextual intelligence or logistical interruptions.

Translation tools could potentially expand audience reach, enabling planners to design meetings where language is no longer a limitation. For planners and organisers, this opens up exciting possibilities: multilingual engagement without the traditional costs of interpreters.

“For planners, it’s one more level to create experiences that feel effortless and global at the same time,” said Rosli.