X has expanded the availability of its AI-powered auto-translation option for posts, with a broad range of languages now supported by Grok translation.
As explained by xAI engineer Ray Hotate (originally posted in Japanese):
“We have released the Grok auto-translate feature for X posts to all the U.S. users. Not only Japanese but languages from around the world will be automatically translated into English by @Grok. X Posts will transcend language barriers.”
So now, Grok’s updated AI model will be the primary translation tool when using the “Translate Post” option in-stream, with most languages now supported, at least to some degree.
X actually began integrating Grok translation back in June, phasing out Google Translate as its primary provider, and making its own AI system its top translation source for posts.
Which, according to a Grok summary, didn’t go so well in its initial release:
“Many users are frustrated with the forced use of Grok for translating posts, citing issues with translation accuracy and the new system's interface where translations replace the original text rather than appearing below it. While some users see this change as potentially beneficial, the majority express a strong preference for the previous Google Translate system, with some even considering leaving the platform if the change is not reverted.”
Yeah, less than ideal, while X users also shared a range of examples of where Grok’s translation, which is enabled by default once you set your preferred language, missed the subtext of the original post by guessing at likely translations, and making mistakes.
That meant that at least some post value was being lost in the translation process. But with the release of its later Grok models, xAI has been improving its performance on this front, which means that its translations are now more accurate, and more reflective of what’s actually being posted in the app.
Hopefully. I mean, Grok does have a tendency to misunderstand and misinterpret certain things.
But ideally, the latest Grok translation process provides a better user experience, and gives X another way to tap into the value of its evolving AI system.
