Ai Boosts Bible Translation: Fewer Than 900 Languages Left, Completion Expected by 2025

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Wycliffe Bible Translators, a leader in the field for decades, is close to achieving their Vision 2025 objective of making the Bible accessible in every language by 2025, a target established in the late nineties. Currently, translations into only 888 languages remain, a feat made possible through strategic partnerships with global churches and the adoption of advanced AI technology, according to CBN News.

“Our focus is how do we see God’s word come to these languages that have never had scripture in their own language and that is our heart passion and that’s what we’ve been about for these 80-plus years,” John Chesnut, president of Wycliffe Translators told CBN News.

Chesnut from Wycliffe Bible Translators highlighted the significant strides made since 1999, noting, “As of today, it is about 888 remaining languages that are on our list anyway, so it’s been huge, huge progress.”

He attributes this success to robust partnerships with local churches globally. Chesnut added, “The new thing that we’re seeing God do is that he literally is raising up his church around the world and taking on this effort. They’re owning it now. They’re the ones that are doing it. And more and more, our role is coming alongside of these groups to say, ‘Can we help you accomplish what God has placed on your heart?'”

Moreover, artificial intelligence is contributing to their efforts. “God’s using it for his glory as well. So, we have a new tool that just has been out here for probably about a year or so that if a New Testament has been translated they can use the material from the New Testament to load into the software and it will draft an Old Testament in just a few days.”

Chesnut explained how translators are equipped with innovative tools to aid their work, even in regions without a written alphabet.

“We have another AI tool that, where there’s nothing written, no scripture yet at all, that will gather words from the community and then it uses that to teach the machine on how to draft translation too. So, that’s where there’s nothing started to help accelerate that as well,” he said.

This technology, he believes, could significantly hasten the fulfillment of the Great Commission. “This is the first generation that can look and say, ‘This could happen during our lifetime.’ And I mean, it’s an incredible day to be part of what God’s doing around the world.”

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