Across the U.S., the face of local communities is rapidly changing, and so are their communication needs. With over 67 million residents who speak a language other than English at home, language barriers are no longer the exception; they’re a daily reality that limits access to essential public services.
From permit applications to community engagement, the demand for inclusive communication is surging. According to the 2025 State of Language Access in Local Government report, 81% of government leaders now say expanding multilingual access to public services is a top priority. This makes it clear that translation and captioning aren’t optional add-ons, they’re essential tools for serving the public equitably.
Why Traditional Translation Falls Short
Despite strong support for language access, many governments still struggle to implement it effectively. Budget constraints (50%) and logistical challenges (39%) remain major barriers to expanding traditional real-time translation services, which often rely on human interpreters, post-event subtitling, or expensive hardware setups.
The result? Critical public services are delayed, misunderstood, or entirely inaccessible to non-English speakers. This undermines both service delivery and public trust.
AI Is Changing the Equation
AI is transforming how governments approach language access. Instead of relying on costly interpreters or specialized equipment, new speech and translation technologies offer real-time, scalable solutions that run on everyday devices. AI platforms can instantly translate and caption meetings,, and service interactions in over 60 languages on a smartphone or laptop, with no extra hardware required.
This shift is already underway. Washoe County, Nevada, for example, now offers multilingual support during City Council meetings and permitting processes, without needing an interpreter on staff. It’s faster, more flexible, and significantly more affordable.
When residents can access services in their preferred language, it removes friction and reinforces a sense of belonging. Whether it’s applying for a business license, attending a zoning meeting, or accessing health updates, the ability to understand and engage with government processes directly impacts participation and trust.
As language access becomes a core pillar of digital equity, governments have an opportunity, and a responsibility, to close the gap. AI makes that possible, even in resource-constrained environments.
Final Thought: Language Access Is Core Infrastructure
Public services should be inclusive by design, not just for those fluent in English. With AI translation, local governments can deliver on that promise at scale, improving both operational efficiency and community outcomes. It’s time to treat language access not as an afterthought, but as core infrastructure for a stronger, more connected society.
About the Author:
Dave Deasy is the CMO of Wordly, the pioneer of AI translation and captioning used by over 4 million people in dozens of languages to make government services, meetings, and training more inclusive and effective.
