Language barriers between users worldwide are breaking down as the social networking service X (formerly Twitter) introduces an automatic translation service. According to IT media outlets such as TechCrunch, X launched a feature that automatically translates posts globally on the 7th following a pilot program.
Nikita Beer, X’s Head of Product, stated on her X account, “By launching the automatic translation feature globally, we will ensure that posts uploaded to X in any language reach users around the world.” In a separate post prior to this, she added, “Post in your language. Post your culture and daily life, and make your country the next trend,” and further explained, “The greatest cultural exchange in history has just launched.”
While users could previously change posts in other languages on X to their preferred language via a ‘translate’ function, the difference this time is that they can view them in their desired language immediately without any separate operation. The translation function utilizes the Grok model, an AI chatbot developed by xAI, founded by Elon Musk.
Since the service’s introduction, X users have shown mixed reactions. In domestic online communities, the sight of users from various countries sharing empathy regarding similar cultures through X has garnered significant attention. Conversely, on the online community Reddit, lengthy comments were posted on posts seeking ways to disable the automatic translation function, with users complaining that the translation quality was too poor or that it was bothersome.
Asahi Shimbun reported, “Watching posts continuously appear on X, one feels both danger and hope at the same time,” adding that “some are reconsidering their views by exchanging messages with people from countries they thought they disliked.”