XL8, a prominent deep-tech startup specializing in AI-powered machine translation technology, is thrilled to announce its recent acquisition of American High-Tech Transcription And Reporting, Inc. (AHT). With its headquarters in Palm Harbor, Florida, AHT is widely recognized for its exceptional expertise in stenography, transcription, and translation services, particularly in the realm of US Government-related work.
This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone in XL8’s journey to reshape the translation and transcription industry. By diversifying and expanding its customer base beyond its media and entertainment roots, XL8 gains exciting new sales channels that open up fresh revenue streams and commercial opportunities, enabling the company to apply its cutting-edge technology to entirely new markets.
The primary motivation behind this acquisition stems from XL8’s unwavering commitment to advancing translation and localization technology while breaking down the barriers of communication, not only within the media and entertainment sector but across all facets of modern communication. Through the utilization of AI-powered speech-to-text and machine translation, XL8 aims to shift the burden of transcription and translation work from purely human methods to a hybrid workflow that combines the strengths of humans and machines. This approach allows humans to focus on increased output and the creative aspects that only they can provide. As a result, this move enhances the efficiency of transcription and translation tasks while empowering translators and localization companies to maximize their earning potential.
XL8 firmly acknowledges the indispensable role of human involvement in achieving accurate translations. To ensure precision and quality, XL8’s machine translation engines are trained on hand-curated data provided by existing customers and partners. The finalization of translations is carried out by human translators, guaranteeing optimal results. With the acquisition of AHT, XL8 seeks to collaborate closely with Human Transcribers to optimize its Speech-to-Text (STT) engine, leading to further enhancements in the performance of its machine translation product.
This joint effort will culminate in the development of a more comprehensive STT engine that captures real colloquial speech and seamlessly integrates human expertise, ultimately delivering superior real-time subtitles, transcripts, and high-quality translations that are unmatched by competitors.
Recognizing the transformative power of AI in today’s world, the management team at XL8 understood the need to modernize services provided to US Government agencies. Many of these agencies lag behind in adapting AI technology that is already widely utilized in the media and entertainment industry. After conducting initial successful testing, XL8 discovered that its Speech-to-text and Machine Translation technology could be swiftly adapted to government use cases, such as court hearings, depositions, witness statements, and law enforcement interrogations, among many others.
These use cases further dismantle the barriers of communication within our society, aligning with the core ethos of the company and its Vision Statement. As XL8 embraces this expansion into government-related work, it aims to leverage its technology to foster effective communication in various domains and ensure language is no longer a hindrance.
“While technology continues to advance, the localization industry faces various challenges,” said Tim Jung, CEO of XL8. He firmly believes that AI-powered machine translation technology is the solution to overcome these challenges and bridge the talent gap. XL8’s approach of Machine Translation Post Editing (MTPE) empowers linguists to refine translations while automation and machine translation handle repetitive tasks, thereby increasing throughput and accuracy.
Operating out of Palm Harbor, Florida, AHT has provided essential transcription, live stenography, and translation services to one of the most multilingual states in the US for over 30 years. Over time, AHT expanded its operations throughout the Southeast, serving Government agencies without regard to political affiliations, criminal standing, or any other discriminatory basis. By incorporating XL8’s advanced technology into AHT’s highly reputable portfolio, the company can broaden its reach and extend beyond its traditional Southeastern base. Simultaneously, this acquisition enables XL8 to grow beyond its initial media and entertainment roots, while also paving the way for the creation of more accurate and helpful datasets. This ensures that XL8’s machine translation engines are perfectly tailored to meet the evolving needs of global communication requirements in a rapidly changing world.
