Government agencies at every level face a common challenge: how to serve increasingly multilingual populations in ways that are both inclusive and cost-effective. From city council meetings to public hearings and community forums, language access is essential for ensuring all residents can participate fully in civic life.
This is where translation services for government become critical. They allow municipalities to comply with federal regulations, eliminate barriers for non-English speakers, and build stronger trust with the communities they serve. Yet many governments still rely on traditional interpretation models that are costly, inefficient, and limited in scope.
Across the country, forward-thinking cities are showing that AI-powered translation services can meet this challenge head-on. Case studies from small, mid-sized, and large cities illustrate how real-time solutions transform civic engagement while reducing costs.
Governments are held to high standards of accessibility and equity. Language barriers can limit participation in public decision-making, exclude residents from vital services, and even expose agencies to compliance risks.
Modern translation services help address these priorities by:
As the following examples show, cities of all sizes are finding that live AI translation is a smarter, more sustainable approach to language access.
In Sunnyvale, California, nearly 60% of residents speak a language other than English at home. Traditional interpreter services were expensive, inconsistent, and disruptive to meeting flow. A Spanish-speaking commissioner even faced barriers to fully contributing during live discussions.
Sunnyvale turned to Wordly to deliver real-time translation in dozens of languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi, and more. With QR-code access on personal devices, residents and officials could engage without delays or interruptions.
Results in Sunnyvale:
See the full Sunnyvale case study to learn how AI translation cut costs 55% and expanded civic participation.
A fast-growing Southwestern city with more than 250,000 residents faced skepticism about adopting AI translation and transcription for public meetings. Concerns included accuracy, usability, and fears that technology might feel impersonal.
After evaluating solutions, city leaders adopted Wordly to provide instant translation in dozens of languages. Attendees could access live translations on their own devices simply by scanning a QR code – no interpreters, headsets, or complicated setup required.
Results for the mid-sized city:
By debunking misconceptions, the city demonstrated how AI translation could create a more transparent and inclusive civic environment.
Read the complete case study to discover how this mid-sized city built trust and boosted engagement with AI translation.
In one of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas, where over half of residents spoke a language other than English, traditional translation methods were failing. Spanish-speaking residents were often separated into different rooms, and costs reached hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.
By adopting Wordly, the city gained on-demand access to dozens of languages without scheduling or logistical hurdles. AI translation created a neutral, transparent experience that improved trust while reducing expenses.
Results for the large city:
This shift marked a turning point in civic participation, proving that real-time AI translation could strengthen connections between government and community.
Explore the full case study to see how a large U.S. city reduced translation costs by two-thirds while tripling participation.
Multilingual communication needs are growing, but most municipalities still rely on informal solutions like bilingual staff. This research report reveals how local governments are approaching language access, and how AI translation is emerging as a scalable, cost-effective alternative for meetings, civic engagement, and public safety.
Download ReportTraditional interpretation models can no longer meet the needs of today’s diverse populations. Live AI translation services for government provide a more flexible, scalable, and equitable approach.
Key benefits include:
By embracing these tools, government agencies can foster more inclusive engagement while demonstrating fiscal responsibility.
The experiences of Sunnyvale, the mid-sized city, and the large metropolitan area show consistent outcomes when AI translation is adopted:
These are results any government agency can achieve – whether serving 100,000 residents or a million.
1. Why do government agencies need translation services?
Translation services help government agencies serve multilingual communities, improve participation, and meet federal compliance requirements.
2. How do AI translation services compare to human interpreters?
AI translation services are 24/7 on-demand, support many languages, reduce costs, and remove scheduling challenges.
3. Are AI translation services accurate enough for government use?
Yes. They use context-aware technology and glossaries to deliver accurate, unbiased translations. Many global government organizations use AI translation services.
4. Can translation services help governments comply with accessibility laws?
Yes. Translation services support many compliance regulations with Title VI, ADA, and Language Access Plans by providing equal access.
5. What types of government meetings can use translation services?
Translation services work for government council meetings, public hearings, forums, town halls, and virtual or hybrid events.
Language should never be a barrier to civic engagement. By implementing modern translation services for government, agencies at every level can reduce costs, strengthen participation, and build more inclusive communities.
Cities across the U.S. are already proving that live AI translation is more than a technology – it’s a tool for equity, representation, and trust.
Ready to explore how Wordly can support your government agency? Book a personalized demo to learn more about our translation services for government.
Want to learn more? Explore our full library of customer case studies.
