According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNCHR), one in every 69 people, or 1.5% of the world’s population, is now forcibly displaced-- a percentage that has almost doubled in the last decade. As individuals and families cross borders to flee persecution, conflict, violence, and human rights violations, limited or complete lack of proficiency in the local language hinders many people’s access to healthcare, employment, or legal assistance. While newly arrived asylum seekers prioritize learning English, proficiency takes time and practice, and everyday activities like grocery shopping, going to medical appointments, and taking public transportation can be frustrating when faced with communication barriers. Language interpreters provide an essential service in helping forced migrants navigate through social services. As service providers and program designers, social workers have a role in utilizing new technologies, specifically in generative AI, that can open a new world of translation services, ensuring individuals understand their rights and the types of support available to them.
We may be closer to having Airpod-like devices in our ears that instantly dub anything we say, similar to the fictional Babel Fish in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, breaking down communication barriers in ways that were once imagined as only science fiction. Companies like the London-based Eleven Labs are revolutionizing translation and dubbing utilizing advanced voice synthesis technology. By using realistic voice overs that maintain voice characteristics and are almost indistinguishable from one’s real voice, social workers, lawyers, and healthcare professionals can offer more personalized, connected care in a client’s first language. While AI can potentially be misused, it can also bridge critical gaps in social services, especially for migrants and refugees.The same company that is developing software to break down language barriers also created voice cloning software, where anyone can upload a voice, like a public figures or their own, and have it say anything. This can lead to more fraud and scams. While there are not clear AI ethical guidelines established yet, service providers also have a role in raising awareness to already vulnerable populations, like forced migrants. Empowering individuals through education can help everyone make informed decisions and safeguard personal information from possible exploitation. The potential for how it can improve communication for underserved populations should not be overlooked though, and professionals working with asylum seekers and refugees should research more innovative ways to connect with their clients, such as using AI-powered translation and dubbing tools. Service providers have the ability to build more inclusive spaces and empower forced migrants to engage fully in new communities and leverage the services available to them.
Kayla Straub