DeepL, the German startup known for its precise online text translation, has launched DeepL Voice, a real-time voice translation service. This new feature enables users to listen to someone speaking in one language and automatically translates it to another in real-time, catering to live conversations and video conferencing.

DeepL Voice currently supports 13 languages, with translated captions available for all 33 languages supported by DeepL Translator. The service is aimed at real-time conversations, with translations appearing as text, not audio. The company's founder and CEO, Jarek Kutylowski, hinted that this is just the beginning, with audio output and more integrations to come.

The launch of DeepL Voice comes as the hype for AI services continues to grow, with competitors like Google and AI startups like Eleven Labs and Panjaya also building voice translation services. DeepL's unique selling point lies in its ability to work in real-time, making it suitable for live situations. The company's focus on building its service from the ground up, rather than relying on other companies' large language models, has also contributed to its success.

While data protection concerns may arise, Kutylowski assured that voices will not be retained or used for training, and the company will work with customers to ensure GDPR compliance. With its $2 billion valuation and 100,000+ paying customers, DeepL is poised to continue making waves in the AI translation space.