GIST runs trial on real-time translation system during lectures

K-campus

Published: 26 Mar. 2024, 17:21

GIST runs trial on real-time translation system during lectures

Korean lectures are translated into English at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology's School of Environment and Energy Engineering. [GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY]

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) announced Tuesday it has been offering real-time translation at its School of Environment and Energy Engineering as a trial run, aiming to expand the service in the future.

The real-time translation system is currently being piloted in one classroom used by the School of Environment and Energy Engineering.

The university said it plans to expand the number of classes that offer translation, after receiving positive feedback from students.

The system collects audio data by using an AI-based speech recognition system and translating it into English text using an AI-powered translation tool. The text appears below the classroom's projector screen like movie subtitles.

The service was developed by AunionAI, a startup founded by the university's professor, Kim Hong-kook.

The university chose to trial-run the service at its School of Environment and Energy Engineering because it has a large number of international students.

Out of 184 students enrolled in the engineering school, 35, or 19 percent, are international students.

Although core courses at GIST are taught in English, the university said it needed a translation system because seminars and special lectures with guest speakers would be done in Korean. Other courses, such as electives, are mainly taught in Korean as well.

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]