FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Toni J. Taber, City Clerk
408-535-1260;
city.clerk@sanjoseca.gov
San José City Clerk Launches Artificial Intelligence Initiative to Increase Language Access at City Council Meetings
AI Language Translations available in over 50 languages
SAN JOSE, Calif. (April 29, 2024) – The San José City Clerk’s Office soft-launched the Wordly artificial intelligence (AI) translation platform at the April 16, 2024 Council Meeting, using real-time AI transcription capabilities, providing immediate translation and captions to mobile phones, computers, and video displays.
“San José is a city of innovators, and our government should be too — we’re continuing to test new tools that allow us to serve the public more effectively, efficiently and equitably,” said Mayor Matt Mahan. “I want to thank the Clerk for championing an AI solution offering real-time language translations of City Council meetings for our residents.”
Wordly, an AI language services company, allows people to understand and participate in city governance in their native language. The solution also enables community members who prefer reading captions to actively participate in meetings.
“We are excited about the future of AI and its integration in our accessibility initiative for improving language access in government,” said City Clerk Toni J. Taber. “As cities become more diverse, the need for innovations in communication will only continue to grow. The City of San José hopes to inspire other large cities to adopt similar technologies that provide equitable access to information and foster a more inclusive environment.”
San José is home to nearly 1 million people, of which 57% of residents speak a language other than English at home, with Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Cantonese being the most common.
The City of San José invites community members to experience the benefits of live AI translation and captioning firsthand by attending upcoming City Council meetings. The City Council meets most Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. at the San José City Hall Council Chambers. Community members must bring their own devices and earphones to be able to listen to or read the words on their device screen. Interpretation in American Sign Language must be requested via email to the City Clerk’s Office (
city.clerk@sanjoseca.gov) at least four days before the meeting.
About the City of San José
With almost 1 million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States and is Northern California’s largest city and the 12th largest city in the nation. San José’s transformation into a global innovation center has resulted in one of the largest concentrations of technology companies and expertise in the world.
About Office of the City Clerk
The City Clerk is the local official who administers democratic processes such as elections, access to city records, and all legislative actions ensuring transparency to the public. The City Clerk acts as a compliance officer for federal, state, and local statutes including the Political Reform Act, the Brown Act, and the Public Records Act.
# # #
68℉