Hidden costs to human development lurk behind Apple’s live translation feature

Apple’s latest innovation in the AirPods Pro 3 promises to transform how people communicate across language barriers — but experts warn that over-reliance on AI translation could change the way we think about learning languages altogether.

The new AirPods will offer live translation, allowing users to listen to conversations in multiple foreign languages and hear the translated version directly in their ears. According to Apple’s presentation of the feature, a transcript of the conversation will also appear on the user’s phone screen, creating a seamless bridge between spoken and written translation.

At first glance, this technology could usher in a new era of frictionless travel, revolutionising how people order food abroad, make new friends, or ask for directions in unfamiliar cities. Yet, as an article by the BBC points out, there’s reason for caution — “not everything that shines is gold.” The report highlights the hidden costs of such tools, particularly their potential to diminish human motivation to learn languages and engage with other cultures more deeply.

Experts and pundits have been impressed by the technological breakthrough. Despite the system still being in its early stages — where occasional mistranslations and awkward phrasing remain inevitable — the potential is clear. Even in this formative phase, live translation could inspire millions of people to travel more freely and confidently, breaking down long-standing linguistic barriers.

Beyond individual convenience, instant translation could also have profound economic and social effects. By enabling more direct communication between tourists and local residents, AI-driven translation may help redirect tourism spending from large international chains to smaller, local businesses whose English proficiency is limited. This could transform entire industries by opening access to a broader range of cultural and economic exchanges.

Will we stop learning new languages?

However, just as calculators reshaped how we approach mathematics, some experts fear that AI translation might erode our incentive to learn languages. Language learning companies may soon face difficult times, as the practicality of traditional study declines in the face of effortless machine-assisted understanding.

Still, not everyone in the field sees this shift as a negative. Ying Okuse, founder of Lingoinn, which organises Mandarin-language homestays in China, Taiwan, and Singapore, observes that AI tutors are already gaining popularity among her clients. Yet she considers this a positive development that could complement, rather than replace, immersive learning

“There's a significant difference between what AI can offer and the immersive, real-world experience of a homestay abroad,” she explains. Technology, she argues, cannot yet capture the subtle nuances of human interaction and non-verbal communication. “That kind of learning goes beyond screens,” Okuse adds. “Language is ultimately about connection, about understanding people, culture and emotions.”

Linguists also emphasise that language learning brings cognitive and emotional rewards that machines cannot replicate. Bernardette Holmes, MBE, a leading advocate for multilingualism, highlights how mastering new languages strengthens mental performance. Learning another tongue, she says, leads to “stronger executive functioning, enhanced attentional control, greater cognitive flexibility and working memory.” While she acknowledges that real-time translation has clear advantages, she insists that “it cannot replace the joy of making meaning in a new language.”

By Nazrin Sadigova