During the Google I/O event in 2025, the tech giant from Mountain View revealed an innovative speech translation feature powered by Gemini for Google Meet. This groundbreaking addition aims to eliminate language barriers in real time while preserving the speaker’s voice, tone, and emotional nuances.

Starting today, Google Meet’s real-time AI speech translation feature is being made available in beta to subscribers of Google AI Pro and Ultra tiers. This advanced technology utilizes generative AI to translate spoken language during video calls, seamlessly overlaying it with a natural-sounding adaptation of the speaker’s voice in the listener’s chosen language. The initial version supports English and Spanish, with plans to introduce Italian, German, and Portuguese in the upcoming weeks.

At the live demonstration during I/O 2025, Google illustrated the functionality of this technology. An English-speaking user conversed effortlessly with a Spanish-speaking colleague. Upon activating the Gemini translation, the colleague’s Spanish dialogue was rendered in English, not through a robotic or generic voice but rather one that closely mimicked the original speaker’s tone, rhythm, and intonation. The experience was equally fluid for the reverse translation.

In contrast to older machine translation systems that often render spoken language in flat, monotonal voices, Google’s new feature strives to make multilingual conversations feel as authentic and engaging as those conducted in a single language. The translations capture voice inflections and emotional expressions, adding layers of nuance and personality that are essential for creating a natural, not mechanical, experience during cross-lingual interactions.

Although platforms like Skype and Microsoft Teams have offered real-time translation capabilities in the past, Google’s unique approach may finally provide the seamless experience that businesses and international teams have been yearning for. At present, the speech translation functionality is exclusively available to paid subscribers, but there are plans for its rollout to Google Workspace and enterprise customers later in the year. However, Google has not specified a timeline for when users on free tiers might expect access.

Also Read: Discover how Gmail’s AI smart replies can now mimic your personal context!