For most television series, reaching a global audience means translating content into a handful of major languages.
For The Chosen, the goal is far more ambitious.
The creators and partners behind the internationally successful drama about the life of Jesus are working toward making the series available in hundreds of languages, including many spoken by communities that have historically been ignored by mainstream entertainment. To achieve that goal, the organization supporting the show’s global expansion is increasingly turning to artificial intelligence as a tool to accelerate translation and localization efforts.
What makes this effort remarkable is not simply its scale, but what it represents.
The project offers a glimpse into how AI may transform the future of global media distribution, helping films, television shows, educational content, and even public services reach audiences that traditional translation systems have struggled to serve.
Yet the story is not simply about technology.
It is also about language, culture, identity, and the challenge of preserving human meaning in an increasingly automated world.
Why Translation Has Become a Global Challenge
The modern entertainment industry is more global than ever.
Streaming platforms have enabled viewers in nearly every country to access content produced anywhere in the world.
However, language remains one of the biggest barriers to global access.
Traditional localization requires:
- Professional translators
- Cultural consultants
- Voice actors
- Audio engineers
- Quality reviewers
- Subject-matter experts
This process is expensive, time-consuming, and often economically impractical for smaller language communities.
As a result, hundreds of millions of people still lack access to high-quality content in their native languages.
For a project like The Chosen, which aims to reach audiences worldwide, the traditional model alone would make expansion into hundreds of languages extremely difficult.
The Goal: 600 Languages
The long-term vision behind the translation initiative is extraordinary.
The translation effort supporting The Chosen is working toward making the series available in approximately 600 languages, a scale that would potentially reach about 95% of the world’s population. The first season has already surpassed 125 translated languages, setting records for a streaming series.
To understand the magnitude of this undertaking:
- Thousands of hours of content require translation.
- Dialogue must remain culturally meaningful.
- Biblical references require theological accuracy.
- Voice performances must feel natural.
- Every language version must maintain consistency.
Human-only workflows can struggle to scale to this level.
That is where AI enters the picture.
Why AI Is Becoming Essential
According to localization leaders involved in the project, AI tools have dramatically accelerated translation efforts, allowing teams to work much faster than originally expected. More importantly, AI is helping address languages that lack established dubbing infrastructure.
This is a critical point.
Many discussions about AI focus on replacing existing jobs.
In this case, AI is being used to enable work that might otherwise never happen.
Many minority languages lack:
- Translation agencies
- Professional dubbing studios
- Voice talent networks
- Large media markets
Without AI assistance, localization into many of these languages would simply be too expensive or time-consuming.
Translation Is Not Localization
One of the most misunderstood aspects of language technology is the difference between translation and localization.
Translation converts words.
Localization converts meaning.
For example, a phrase that works perfectly in English may sound confusing, awkward, or culturally inappropriate elsewhere.
Successful localization considers:
- Regional expressions
- Religious sensitivities
- Cultural references
- Social norms
- Historical context
- Emotional tone
This is particularly important for a series like The Chosen, which contains theological themes and biblical narratives that may be interpreted differently across cultures.
As a result, human reviewers remain deeply involved in the process.
Why Human Experts Still Matter
Despite advances in AI, the translation workflow still relies heavily on people.
Teams involved with The Chosen use theologians, pastors, linguists, and biblical scholars to review translations and ensure theological and cultural accuracy. In dubbed versions, reviews may occur multiple times during production.
This reflects a broader reality of modern AI.
AI is becoming increasingly effective at generating drafts.
Humans remain essential for:
- Accuracy
- Context
- Cultural nuance
- Emotional authenticity
- Quality control
The most successful translation systems today are typically human-AI collaborations rather than fully automated processes.
The Challenge of Minority Languages
Perhaps the most important aspect of the initiative is its focus on underserved language communities.
Reports indicate that more than 500 target languages fall into categories where large-scale dubbing infrastructure barely exists or does not exist at all.
These languages often face significant risks:
- Limited digital content
- Declining speaker populations
- Insufficient educational resources
- Minimal representation in media
By making content available in these languages, localization projects can contribute to digital inclusion and language preservation.
In some cases, a translated television series may become one of the largest professionally produced media resources ever created in that language.
AI and the Preservation of Language
The conversation around AI often focuses on efficiency.
But there is another side to the story.
Many linguists believe AI may play an important role in preserving endangered languages.
Advanced language models can help:
- Create dictionaries
- Generate educational materials
- Support translation efforts
- Archive linguistic knowledge
- Improve language accessibility
For smaller language communities, AI may provide tools that were previously available only to major global languages.
The same technology that threatens to homogenize communication could also help preserve linguistic diversity if used carefully.
The Risks of AI Translation
The benefits are significant.
So are the risks.
Translation experts frequently warn that AI systems can produce text that appears correct while subtly altering meaning.
Potential challenges include:
Loss of Cultural Nuance
AI may overlook cultural context.
Theological Errors
Religious content requires exceptional precision.
Language Flattening
AI often favors average or standardized phrasing.
Context Misinterpretation
Words may carry different meanings across regions.
Reduced Linguistic Diversity
Overreliance on AI could unintentionally standardize language use.
These concerns explain why human review remains essential for sensitive content.
Why Entertainment Companies Are Watching Closely
The entertainment industry is paying attention to projects like this because they demonstrate a possible future for media distribution.
Historically, localization budgets limited international expansion.
AI may dramatically reduce those barriers.
Potential applications include:
- Movies
- Television shows
- Educational courses
- Podcasts
- Documentaries
- Video games
- Public information campaigns
If AI-assisted localization continues improving, content creators could reach audiences previously considered inaccessible.
The economic implications are enormous.
The Rise of AI Dubbing
Translation is only one part of the equation.
Recent advances in AI voice technology are transforming dubbing as well.
Modern systems can increasingly:
- Synchronize speech timing
- Match vocal characteristics
- Generate natural-sounding speech
- Adapt content to local languages
While human voice actors remain important, AI-assisted dubbing may help reduce costs and improve scalability for large projects.
This could dramatically expand access to content worldwide.
The Ethical Questions Ahead
As AI becomes more deeply involved in localization, new ethical questions emerge.
These include:
- Who owns AI-generated translations?
- How should translators be compensated?
- Can AI-generated voices replicate performers?
- How much human oversight is required?
- Who is responsible for errors?
The answers will likely shape the future relationship between technology and creative industries.
Beyond Entertainment: A Broader Social Impact
The significance of AI-assisted localization extends beyond television.
The same technologies could eventually improve access to:
- Healthcare information
- Educational content
- Government services
- Emergency communications
- Scientific knowledge
In regions where language barriers limit access to critical information, AI-powered translation could become an important tool for social inclusion.
The Bigger Picture
The effort to translate The Chosen into hundreds of languages is about more than one television series.
It represents a larger shift in how information, culture, and stories move across the world.
For centuries, language barriers limited the global reach of ideas.
Today, artificial intelligence is beginning to change that reality.
The technology is not perfect.
Human expertise remains essential.
Cultural understanding still matters.
But for the first time in history, reaching hundreds of language communities with professionally localized content is becoming technically achievable.
Whether AI ultimately becomes a force for cultural preservation, global connection, and linguistic diversity—or a tool that flattens language and reduces nuance—will depend largely on how humans choose to use it.
Projects like The Chosen may provide one of the earliest large-scale tests of that future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why is The Chosen using AI for translation?
The project aims to reach hundreds of languages, including many underserved communities. AI helps accelerate translation workflows and supports languages that lack traditional dubbing infrastructure.
2. Is AI replacing human translators?
No. Human translators, theologians, linguists, and cultural experts remain heavily involved in reviewing and validating translations. AI primarily assists with scale and efficiency.
3. How many languages is The Chosen targeting?
The long-term goal is approximately 600 languages, which could make the series accessible to around 95% of the world’s population.
4. Why are minority languages important in this effort?
Many minority-language communities have limited access to professionally localized media. Providing content in their native language improves accessibility and can support language preservation.
5. What is the difference between translation and localization?
Translation converts words from one language to another. Localization adapts content to cultural, social, linguistic, and contextual differences so it feels natural to local audiences.
6. Can AI accurately translate religious content?
AI can assist, but religious content requires careful human review because theological nuances, scriptural references, and cultural interpretations can significantly affect meaning.
Sources Deseret News
