Generative AI's Spanish Language Gap: Are You Being Left Behind?

Do you speak Spanish?

With over 460 million native and 50 million non-native speakers, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world. So it's more than likely your answer to the first question was, "Sí, yo hablo espa?ol."

With more than 16 different dialects, Spanish is a language that connects individuals from dozens of countries worldwide with unique cultures and lived experiences. It's essential for global communication and commerce, and it’s a crucial language for scientific and technical research.

Which raises the question:?If so many people speak Spanish in so many different ways, why does there seem to be a one-size-fits-all approach to Generative AI and this particular language?

Si me preguntas a mí, hace falta un modelo de lenguaje que tome en cuenta todos los diferentes países y sus formas de hablar.

Because if not, we'll keep running into this problem:

While building Channel over the past couple of years, I've spent countless hours studying generative AI and experienced firsthand the challenges we as Spanish speakers face when creating content. Spanish has a rich and varied vocabulary, with regional and dialectical differences that make it difficult for current models to produce content that can be understood across different countries. And, sometimes, even within a single country's different regions.

This gap means it currently takes almost 5x longer for Spanish speakers to create usable content with current platforms when compared to English speakers. And when they do create this content, it doesn’t necessarily resonate with the targeted audience. Resulting in less engagement, fewer sales, and money being left on the table.

This gap means it can take almost 5x longer for Spanish speakers to create usable content with current platforms when compared to English speakers.

As the most impactful technology of our lifetime works its way into every aspect of human existence, this gap in specific languages is not only an inconvenience; it represents a broader trend of AI inequality and bias. It limits productivity and economic growth for Spanish speakers at a time when economists consider productivity growth essential to improving living standards.

These challenges present a unique opportunity to bridge the dialectical gaps in Spanish-language Generative AI. At Channel, we're tackling this problem head-on by leveraging our own set of hyper-local data to create country-specific content engines that speak just like you and your audience (igualito que tú ??).

In current pilot tests, we've seen 6x more engagement than controls, and content creation time has decreased by up to 10x—a promising start to an issue affecting half a billion people around the world.

In current pilot tests, we've seen 6x more engagement than controls, and content creation time has decreased by up to 10x

We’re on a mission to bridge the gap for LATAM and Spanish speakers in the AI-powered future. With the right approach, we believe we can help build a world where Spanish speakers can leverage the power of AI technology to produce any form of accurate, high-quality content that speaks like them and to them. Where the complexity and diversity of the Spanish language is acknowledged, celebrated, and embraced.

As we continue this mission, we're looking to build strategic partnerships with agencies, creative teams, and individuals across LATAM. If you're interested in being a part of this journey, send us a message, and we'll get back to you, ahorita ?