The Google Assistant & Mercy Corps Partner to Bring Real-time Translation to Clients
As the Google Assistant’s interpreter mode expands globally to help people communicate in real-time at places like airlines, airports and hotels, Mercy Corps is finding this AI translation technology to be extremely helpful for the humanitarian space. Last July, Mercy Corps began piloting the use of interpreter mode at our global headquarters in Portland, Oregon, to help staff focused on local programming better communicate with the diverse populations we serve in Oregon. Mercy Corps Northwest works with small businesses to provide an array of support including training, Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), and small grants. We find that many of the entrepreneurs we serve speak English as a second language, and are more comfortable communicating in Arabic, Russian and Spanish, to name a few. With the use of interpreter mode, Mercy Corps clients don’t have to rely on finding a person to translate.
One program participant was a Syrian refugee named Bahieh, who made her way to Oregon in 2014, after fleeing the war in Syria. Eager to create a better life for her family, she began working in the food industry, utilizing her cooking talents. She soon desired to open a business of her own so she could share traditional, homemade dishes with her new community, but Bahieh needed some help. She came to Mercy Corps Northwest for the opportunity to open an IDA, which would allow her to get matched savings funds to put towards her new business. She also received a grant to support her endeavor. When she first started working with Mercy Corps, Bahieh had to bring her son to each appointment to act as her translator, as she speaks very little English. But, thanks to the Google Assistant’s interpreter mode, she no longer has to rely on her son to translate. Using interpreter mode on a Google Nest Hub, Bahieh is now able to fully engage in conversations and feels comfortable meeting with Mercy Corps’ staff without a translator present. The Google Assistant has given Bahieh the freedom to take part in business conversations independently as she continues to grow her business.
What is the Google Assistant’s interpreter mode?
How it works:
Key Findings from the Field
The Assistant’s interpreter mode has a low cost for deployment and maintenance, not to mention, users have been consistently surprised, and delighted with how easy it is to use. All users have provided positive feedback on their experience, and the effectiveness at managing detailed conversations. The user experience is ambient and complementary, which is helpful in natural conversations. Overall, Mercy Corps sees great value in growing the use of this translation technology to potentially other opportunities within the portfolio and across the globe.
