140 languages, one AI platform, endless possibilities

AI ENTERTAINMENT

140 languages, one AI platform, endless possibilities

With global demand for non-English films and shows outpacing English content, IMAX is turning to AI to expand localisation and reach new audiences.

The entertainment and media industry grew by 5% in 2023, reaching $2.8 trillion, and is expected to grow to $3.4 trillion by 2028.

Non-English content is becoming more popular, even in English-speaking countries like the U.K., U.S., and Australia.

Netflix has seen a 90% rise in non-English viewership in the U.K. over the past three years, showing how quickly this trend is growing.

To respond to this shift, IMAX has partnered with Camb.ai, a Dubai-based AI startup, to translate its original content, including documentaries.

Camb.ai’s DubStudio platform supports 140 languages, including less common ones, and offers tools like Boli for speech-to-text translation and Mars for speech-to-speech emulation.

These tools focus on keeping the original audio’s nuances, such as background music and sound effects.

In brief:

• The global media industry hit $2.8 trillion in 2023, with non-English content rising sharply in English-speaking markets.

• IMAX is using Camb.ai's platform to translate content into over 140 languages while preserving audio quality.

• IMAX will start with widely spoken languages, cutting costs and making its content more accessible.

Dubbing that hits different

Camb.ai, co-founded by former Apple engineer Akshat Prakash and his father, focuses on solving language barriers.

The company uses ethical data sources instead of scraping the internet, ensuring its AI models are precise and reliable.

Its system provides real-time translation in up to 10 languages with minimal delay, making it ideal for IMAX’s immersive experiences.

IMAX will roll out these translations in stages, starting with major languages.

The cost savings from this approach remain undisclosed, but the partnership aims to make localisation more efficient and affordable.

Streaming delays are old news. AI translation is the move.