In a World Where Technology Often Divides, AI Translation Is Bringing Us Closer Together
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
By Lakshman Rathnam
Founder & CEO, Wordly AI Translation & Captions
In the world of technology, it’s easy to get caught up in the speed of innovation. The race to build what’s next and faster. But some of the most transformative breakthroughs aren’t just about advancing what technology can do, they’re about reimagining what technology is for. For me, that realization came from a moment of silence.
Years ago, while working at a hearing aid company, I witnessed how AI-driven speech-to-text tools could give people with hearing loss the ability to fully engage in
conversations again. It was incredible to see how technology could restore connection, not just function. That early experience planted a seed in my mind about how powerful it could be to use innovation to make communication more inclusive.
But the true turning point came during a global conference I attended in Japan. I was sitting in a packed auditorium, ready to hear a panel of experts share their insights.
Then, as the discussion began, in Japanese, I realized I couldn’t understand a single word. In that moment, I felt what it was like to be completely shut out of the conversation. I had perfect hearing, yet I couldn’t participate. I could only sit there, disconnected, watching others engage in a dialogue I longed to be part of.
That experience stayed with me. I started to think about how many people feel that same exclusion every day, not because of hearing loss, but because of language barriers. Imagine not being able to speak up in a city council meeting about decisions that affect your neighborhood, or missing the message during a church service meant to inspire hope, or struggling to participate in a parent-teacher conference about your child’s education. Communication is more than words, it’s connection and belonging.
That realization inspired me o build something that could bridge those divides. In 2019, I founded Wordly, the pioneering AI platform that provides real-time translation and captioning in dozens of languages. The goal was simple yet profound. To make sure no one ever feels left out of the conversation simply because they speak a different language.
Today, Wordly is used by more than 5 million people around the world. In city council meetings where residents can now follow discussions in Spanish, Mandarin, or Arabic; in universities connecting international students from various countries; and in places of worship, where sermons are instantly translated so everyone can hear the same message of faith and hope. We’ve even helped make theater performances more inclusive, offering captions and translations for audiences from diverse backgrounds.
What continues to inspire me is how collaboration and gratitude have fueled the growth of Wordly. From the engineers who innovate tirelessly to improve accuracy, and the organizations that partner with us to make events more inclusive, to the users who share stories of how Wordly changed their lives, every piece of this journey is built on appreciation and purpose.
At its heart, Wordly isn’t just a technology company, it’s a reflection of a belief that when we use AI to listen better, we understand each other better. If technology can help us hear one another, it can help us see one another. That’s the future I want to help create. A world where innovation is guided not by competition, but by compassion and where inclusion isn’t a feature, but a foundation.
As we look toward the next wave of technological change, I’m hopeful. The real power of AI, and all emerging technologies, lies not in replacing human connection, but in strengthening it. When we build with empathy and purpose, we’re not just advancing technology; we’re advancing humanity.
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