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By María-Victoria Díaz, PhD.

Audio  description and dubbing share a common mission: to make the magic of audiovisual content accessible to communities that would otherwise miss out. The art of audio description transforms images into words while dubbing adapts a message from one language to another, overcoming the chaos caused by the Tower of Babel. Consequently, much like the collaborations of great artists, together they become a powerful multiplier of reach and impact. In some situations, only combining them provides equal access to diverse groups. groups.

Have you ever wondered how a blind person enjoys a foreign-language film? Those of us working to overcome these barriers tackle the challenge in various ways. We can provide spoken renditions of on-screen subtitles, which are available most of the time; and sometimes, in a more artistically appealing approach, we can recreate voice changes using more than one narrator for the reading of subtitles. However, dubbing matched with audio description would be the most appropriate solution for providing equitable experiences.

Time and money have been the leading obstacles alongside the lack of availability of dubbing actors in the English language. Now, it is possible to tap into the benefits of responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) used to offer dubbing with real voices, enhance the skills of dubbing actors, and linguistic experts to meet the market’s need for immediacy to create accessible experiences for everyone.

Streaming services offering dubbing in different languages present a fantastic opportunity to broaden audiences, especially when also incorporating audio description (AD).

According to data from the Audio Description Project (ADP), platforms like Netflix, Apple, and Amazon are leading the way in providing AD in multiple languages with their existing dubbing services. This not only expands their reach across diverse linguistic groups but also sets a precedent for inclusivity, ensuring that people with visual impairments can enjoy a wide range of content in their preferred language. Such initiatives highlight the potential of leveraging technology and innovative practices to break down barriers and create a truly inclusive media landscape.

In an era where technology often outpaces regulation, it’s imperative to define our own ethical boundaries while maximizing productivity and empowering human growth.

At Dicapta, this philosophy has been at the heart of our approach to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into our workflow. Over the last four years, Dicapta has integrated AI into our AD and dubbing processes leading to significantly expanded capabilities. In our journey we were able to amplify the power of natural voices and the irreplaceable value of real voice actors and linguistic experts through AI technology. Now, we not only strive to maintain the authenticity and emotional depth that only human performances provide, but to also preserve our own ethical standards.

Dicapta stands for, and encourages, the responsible use of AI, where the convergence of technology and human talent opens up new possibilities for accessibility and inclusivity in entertainment, culture and education. By embracing AI as a tool to power natural voices, real voice actors, and linguistic experts we maintain the human essence of storytelling but also push the boundaries of the field, making media accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

If you’d like to learn more about Dicapta’s dubbing and audio description services, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at www.dicapta.com.