Paris to use AI translation app for Olympics visitors

AS Paris welcomes the world for the Olympics this summer, the city’s public transport system, known as RATP will be using artificial intelligence to help thousands of international visitors navigate through the capital.

The handheld Tradivia device can translate between French and 16 different languages including Mandarin, Arabic and Korean, with text appearing on a screen as well as being read out loud.

The RATP will provide more than 3,000 agents with this device, ready to assist all international visitors.

RATP representative Gregoire de Lasteyrie:

"The goal for us in Ile-de-France Mobilite is for them to travel in the best possible conditions, and therefore, being able to speak to them in as many languages as possible and helping them find their way in Paris is extremely important."

Metro workers, like Raphael Gassette, say the device gives them more confidence.

“We no longer have this fear of thinking, 'We're not going to understand each other.' Here, we know straight away, with regard to the languages, to press straight on 'Hindi,' and immediately have clear, more precise information, and we can be sure that when the visitor leaves, they are satisfied."

The service will remain in Paris after the Games, which will be held from July 26 to Aug. 11.

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