At global events, language access should open doors, not close them. Yet real-time translation and captions are often expensive, complex, and hard to scale. That’s why more global organizations are turning to AI translation and captions.
A recent example: The XXVII ANOC General Assembly took place on 30 October to 1 November 2024 in Cascais, Portugal. To ensure an inclusive, multilingual experience, organizers partnered with Wordly, a leader in AI translation and captioning technology.
Over the three days of meetings and discussions, more than 850 delegates from 195 National Olympic Committees gathered in Cascais. NOCs were joined by representatives from the IOC, International Federations, Organising Committees of the Olympic Games (OCOGs) as well as a number of other Olympic stakeholders and sports partners – bringing the total number of organizations present to more than 280 and underscoring the global importance of the event.
Wordly deployed at the ANOC General Assembly
How Wordly Powered the Conference
Wordly delivered real-time translation and captions in over 30 languages across all sessions. Attendees simply scanned a QR code or visited a custom URL to access translation directly on their phones or laptops. There were no apps to download, no interpreter booths to manage, and no special equipment required.
To improve translation quality, organizers used Wordly’s customizable glossary. They uploaded more than 200 organization-specific terms, acronyms, and presenter names in advance. This allowed the AI model to deliver smoother and more accurate translations throughout the event.
From keynote speeches to panel discussions, participants could follow along in their preferred language.
How Wordly Made the Conference Accessible
Event Details:
- 850+ attendees
- 195 countries represented
- 30+ languages supported
- 16 total sessions
- 5 days
- 2 rooms and stages
Wordly worked closely with the event’s AV partner to ensure a smooth deployment. The setup used standard AV equipment such as mixers, cables, and tablets, along with Wordly’s audio conversion devices that transmitted sound to the cloud for real-time translation.
Pre-event testing took less than 15 minutes. Daily technical checks before each session were completed in under five minutes. The setup was fast, flexible, and integrated seamlessly with the existing AV workflow.
Attendees access translation by scanning the Wordly QR code
A New Standard for Global Events
This conference raised the bar for accessibility. Whether attendees preferred reading captions or listening to spoken translation, Wordly met them where they were.
By removing language barriers, the organizers created a more inclusive environment that kept attendees engaged, regardless of their native language or where they were seated.
This successful implementation shows how live translation can elevate the attendee experience and set a new standard for accessibility at global events.
About Wordly
Wordly provides AI-powered translation and captions for meetings, conferences, and events. It supports dozens of languages, does not require interpreters or special equipment, and works for in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats.
Explore how Wordly can power your next event at wordly.ai.
