AI interpretation debuts at APEC — but does it work?

Visitors pose on arrival at Gyeongju Station in North Gyeongsang Province, Sunday. Yonhap

GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — With thousands of visitors arriving in Gyeongju for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) events this week, Korea has rolled out artificial intelligence (AI) interpretation services to support communication. However, questions remain over how effectively these tools are being used on the ground.

Upon arrival, interpretation devices supporting up to 37 languages — including those of all 21 APEC member economies — are available at major transit hubs such as Gimhae International Airport and Gyeongju Station. About 140 accommodations, from hotels for heads of state to lodging for other delegations, are also equipped with these devices.

Around 1,000 taxis in Gyeongju are now equipped with AI interpretation systems, and about 150 certified restaurants offer QR code-based multilingual menus and two-way AI interpretation devices.

However, most of those services saw limited use in practice.

“I haven’t used the government-provided AI interpretation system for APEC events because I already have my own apps,” said Ko Sung-woo, 67, a taxi driver, holding up his Naver Papago app. “I’ve been using various interpretation apps in my daily work even before the events.”

A leaflet with a QR code for an AI interpretation service is seen inside a taxi in this Oct. 29 photo. Korea Times photo by Park Ung

When the QR code was scanned to test the system, the phone displayed “Waiting for the driver’s approval,” but no notification appeared on the driver’s device. Even after Ko restarted the app, the connection did not go through. Scanning the QR code from the driver’s phone also failed to establish a connection.

“I had Japanese passengers yesterday, and I just used Papago,” Ko said. “I’ve used it for years, so it’s easier. And it also translates text. I can just take a picture and get the Korean translation immediately.”

Cheon Jong-ryul, 72, another taxi driver, had similar experiences.

“Using translation apps on my phone is just more convenient than the government-provided system,” Cheon said. “Taxi drivers here already use other apps like Papago because we serve many foreign visitors. The new system takes extra steps to set up, and in practice, it’s simply less convenient.”

The system in Cheon’s taxi eventually worked, but only after several failed attempts. By contrast, the Papago and Google Translate apps he normally uses responded immediately.

“That’s why I stick with those apps,” Cheon said.

Taxis weren't the only places where these patterns emerged. At a restaurant near the Hwabaek International Convention Center, the main summit venue, the issue resurfaced.

Although the restaurant was listed as having AI interpretation devices, neither the APEC volunteers nor the restaurant staff were aware of them when asked. Only after inquiring with the owner was the two-way interpretation device found and brought out.

An AI interpretation device at a restaurant in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, is seen in this Oct. 29 photo.
Korea Times photo by Park Ung

“It’s as slow as old 3G speeds, so phone apps are much faster,” the staffer said. “We received it about two months ago, but we just use smartphone interpretation apps because they work instantly.”

Use of the interpretation services was evident in some hotels, although still limited in scope.

On Wednesday morning at a hotel near the Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal, AI interpretation devices were easy to find, with APEC staff stationed nearby and recent logs showing use by Chinese and Japanese guests.

However, the staff on duty knew little about the system. While the device was being tested, the system abruptly logged the user out of their account without notice, prompting staff to bring out a spare unit.

“Mostly foreign guests who don’t speak English use it,” a hotel staff member said. “During a seven-hour shift, maybe seven people ask about it, but most don’t actually use it. Some say it’s interesting, but that’s about it.”

An AI interpretation device at a hotel in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, is seen in this Oct. 29 photo. Korea Times photo by Park Ung