Amazon Web Services (AWS) has made a significant leap in its offerings by adding support for multiple languages, including Arabic, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish to its generative artificial intelligence (AI) agents. This enhancement is now available in both the integrated development environment (IDE) and command line interface (CLI) for Amazon Q Developer, with plans to extend this support to the AWS Management Console in the near future.
Srini Iragavarapu, the director of generative AI applications and experiences for AWS, emphasized that these extensions will empower developers globally to harness generative AI technologies, enhancing productivity and collaboration. "These extensions will enable developers around the world to leverage generative AI technologies to not only be more productive but also collaborate more effectively," he stated.
The introduction of these language capabilities is particularly timely as organizations increasingly rely on distributed teams for software development. Iragavarapu noted that the ability to convert comments and documentation from English to other languages will help ensure clarity and understanding among team members from diverse linguistic backgrounds. This capability is expected to bridge cultural divides and democratize software development, fostering a more inclusive environment for developers worldwide.
While the full impact of generative AI on software development remains uncertain, there is a growing recognition of the pressing need for improved communication within teams. Misunderstandings often arise from idioms or phrases that may not translate well across languages. The integration of AI agents into the software development lifecycle is being facilitated through partnerships with companies like GitLab, which aim to streamline processes, including translating code from one programming language to another.
According to a Futurum Research survey, 41% of respondents anticipate that generative AI tools and platforms will be increasingly utilized for generating, reviewing, and testing code. This trend suggests that the volume of code produced will continue to grow exponentially as AI becomes more embedded in engineering workflows.
However, the extent to which organizations choose to rely on AI agents for application development remains to be seen. The quality of code generated by AI tools can vary significantly, leading many organizations to hesitate before deploying AI-generated code in production environments. A thorough understanding of how the code was constructed is often deemed essential.
Despite these challenges, the demand for applications that cater to an expanding array of use cases shows no signs of abating. As developers of all skill levels become more productive, the backlog of application development projects may begin to shrink. The key challenge will be to maintain best practices in software development, regardless of who or what is creating the code.
In a different context, the role of AI in language learning has come under scrutiny, particularly concerning the Irish language. As of April 2025, less than 0.1% of websites use Irish as their content language, while English dominates at 49.2%. This stark disparity highlights the challenges faced by aspiring Gaeilgeoirí who seek to immerse themselves in the language.
Artificial intelligence could play a crucial role in narrowing this language inequality gap. Immersion has long been recognized as a vital method for achieving fluency in a language, but digital platforms often fall short in supporting Irish. Many popular services, such as Google, provide only minimal support for Irish, translating a few interface terms while disabling key features that function well in English.
As AI technologies become more integrated into public services, it is essential to ensure that they accurately represent the Irish language. Relying solely on Irish-agnostic AI could further marginalize Gaeilgeoirí and dilute the richness of regional dialects. The current AI landscape is often described as colonialist, as it tends to reinforce dominant Western languages, including English, while sidelining languages like Irish.
Over half of large enterprises and 15% of all enterprises in Ireland are already utilizing AI. This presents an opportunity for these organizations to localize their services to be more inclusive of the Irish language and other minority languages. By sourcing adequate resources for training Irish AI tools, the technology could be leveraged for various applications, including AI-powered Irish language tutors and conversational platforms.
Modern AI-powered translation services could enable users to engage with digital content without sacrificing their immersion in the Irish language. Tools like spell checkers and predictive text could facilitate everyday communication for Gaeilgeoirí, transforming technology from a barrier into a powerful ally in promoting Irish language use.
Moreover, with the rise of virtual assistants like Alexa, the potential for AI tools supporting the Irish language is immense. Such advancements could allow users to immerse themselves in the language seamlessly, fostering a greater appreciation and understanding of Irish culture.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial to ensure that Irish is represented not just in classrooms or Irish colleges but also in every digital interaction. This calls for funding open-source datasets for Irish and supporting those developing Irish language technology.
Ultimately, without digital inclusion, the revival of the Irish language may remain an elusive goal. The integration of AI into language learning and public services must prioritize inclusivity and representation, ensuring that the future of AI speaks more than just English.
