Digital Helpers: Using AI Assistants in SIL Software
Whether you are working in the field or at a desk, we know that SIL software can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. To make things easier, our teams are adding AI Assistants to our tools.
Think of these as digital helpers that you can talk to (or type to) to get your work done faster. Here is a simple guide to the assistants currently available or coming soon to our software family.
1. Helpful Support Assistants
If you’ve ever been stuck on a problem at 2:00 AM, you know it’s hard to find a human consultant. Many of our product websites on software.sil.org (like the page for HearThis) now feature an AI Support Assistant in the corner of the screen.
- What they do: They have “read” all the manuals for you. You can type a question like, “How do I export my audio?” and the assistant will give you the exact steps.
- Why use them: It saves you from searching through long PDF guides or waiting for an email reply.
2. FaithBridge: Your Translation Assistant
FaithBridge is one of our newest tools designed specifically for Bible translation teams. It’s a friendly AI Assistant meant to live inside tools like Scripture Forge. You can also use it at faithbridge.multilingualai.com. It will accept input by chat or voice in 80 different languages. As a registered Paratext user, you will be given greater access to the resources found here.
- Ask Questions: You can ask the assistant about difficult Bible words or historical facts.
- See the Word: If a translator isn’t sure what a “vineyard” or a “sling” looks like, the assistant can find images and videos to show them.
- Local Language: It is designed to work in many different languages, helping the assistant understand the heart-language of the user.
Here is an example of a question being asked in English, Spanish and Hausa.
Important Things to Remember
- Privacy is Priority: We know many of you work in sensitive areas. Our AI Assistants are built to follow SIL’s strict privacy rules. They are tools for your work, not for collecting personal data.
- They Are Still Learning: An AI Assistant is like a smart apprentice—they are very fast, but they can sometimes make mistakes. Always double-check important translation work with a human consultant!
How do I get started?
The easiest way to get started on your phone or computer is to visit the website for the software you use most (like scriptureforge.org or software.sil.org/hearthis) and tap the mobile-friendly help or chat icon in the bottom corner.
If you want to see the “cutting edge” of what we are building, check out ai.sil.org.
