Industrial quiet with big ambitions: this is what the future of automatic translation looks like

According to the company, the new tool is capable of translating text, voice and images into more than 50 languages ​​within seconds, with automatic language detection. In the meantime, unfortunately, Hebrew is not quite there, but from the experience Maariv’s technology desk has gained, it is possible to bypass this anyway, and translate Hebrew into foreign languages.

The main innovation that OpenAI emphasizes is the ability to adapt the translation to the context and tone. With one click, you can request a more current wording, an official version for the business world, a translation adapted for children or an academic wording. The tool’s page states that the system understands nuances of tone, idioms and cultural context, an area where automatic translation has struggled over the years.

For example, the desktop version of ChatGPT Translate still does not have the option of voice input, a capability that has existed for years at Google. In the mobile version there is voice support, but the gap between the platforms is noticeable. The promise to translate text from images is also not realized in practice, since it is not possible to upload an image to the tool. Document, website or manuscript translation is not supported, and the lack of a dedicated app prevents offline use.

The practical meaning is that travelers, students or business people who are in areas without a stable Internet connection will not be able to rely on the new tool. In a world where real-time translation has become an everyday tool, this is a fundamental disadvantage. In comparison, Google’s flagship devices, including the Pixel 10, already offer real-time voice translation even during phone calls, a capability that ChatGPT Translate still doesn’t come close to.

Another point that emphasizes the experimental nature of the tool is the lack of clear information about the launch date. OpenAI did not make an official announcement, and the tool appeared online without any public relations. A similar version of the page was already available in November. This may be a quiet run or a field test before a wider launch.

Despite the limitations, the very entry of OpenAI into the dedicated translation market marks a broader trend. Artificial intelligence companies are no longer satisfied with general tools, but break down their capabilities into targeted services. If OpenAI expands ChatGPT Translate into a standalone application, adds offline work and integrates real-time translation, it could become a significant player in a field dominated by Google for years. At the current stage it is mainly a statement of intent, with an intriguing technology that is still seeking its practical maturity.