Google has introduced a groundbreaking new feature in Google Meet that significantly advances real-time spoken language translation, bringing us closer to the kind of universal translator seen in Star Trek. The company has launched live speech translation directly within Google Meet, allowing participants in a meeting to hear spoken words in their preferred language as they are being spoken. Currently, the feature supports a limited number of languages, but its potential impact is immense. During the demo, Google showcased how a speaker using one language—say, Spanish—can be instantly translated into another, such as English, with minimal delay. The translated audio plays in real time through the listener’s device, enabling seamless communication across language barriers. The technology behind this innovation relies on Google’s advanced AI and machine learning models, particularly its latest advancements in speech recognition and neural machine translation. These models are trained on vast datasets of multilingual speech and text, allowing them to understand context, tone, and nuances in conversation far more accurately than previous systems. Google also uses on-device processing where possible to reduce latency and improve privacy. What sets this apart from earlier translation tools is its integration directly into the video meeting experience. Unlike third-party apps or manual transcription services, this feature operates natively within Google Meet, making it easier to use and more reliable for real-time collaboration. Google’s development of this feature has been supported by years of investment in AI research, including breakthroughs in low-latency translation, speaker diarization (identifying who is speaking), and handling overlapping speech. The company has also worked closely with linguists and native speakers to refine accuracy across different accents and regional dialects. While the feature is still rolling out in select languages and regions, Google has indicated plans to expand support in the coming months. It’s also expected to be available across devices, including mobile, desktop, and smart meeting hardware. Despite its promise, there are still limitations. Accuracy can vary depending on background noise, speech clarity, and the complexity of the language pair. Additionally, not all languages are supported yet, and some cultural or idiomatic expressions may not translate perfectly. Nonetheless, this advancement marks a major step toward truly global, barrier-free communication. For businesses, educators, and individuals collaborating across borders, the ability to speak naturally while being understood in real time could transform how we connect in a multilingual world.