ATA Newsbriefs

The government of New Brunswick, Canada, has entered the world of artificial intelligence (AI) with the implementation of a website called ChatGNB that’s available exclusively for government employees.

While there aren’t many details on exactly how it’s being used, the Department of Finance and Treasury Board, which has been piloting the program for the past year, said it’s mainly being used for translating internal documents. But this has some translators concerned.

“There are certain ethical considerations here that we should take into account, because translators fear that they may lose jobs, or that their source of income may diminish,” said Sergey Petrov, a certified translator and the president of the Corporation of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters of New Brunswick.

Petrov said many of the corporation’s 110 members are individual contractors, and some may get less work if AI is used in their place. “It can make your work a lot easier, but there are some valid concerns,” he said.

Government officials said ChatGNB was created with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and that it’s being used because it’s more private and secure than other AI models out there. “The tool was developed to address the need for meeting privacy and security requirements not previously available from commercial services, while safely exploring benefits from AI,” said a statement from a representative with the Department of Finance.

The Department of Finance said that documents like collective agreements, contracts, policies, and external-facing documents will continue to be translated by Service New Brunswick’s translation services, even as AI develops.

Petrov said the government told the corporation that “employees are encouraged to review translations for accuracy and formatting.” But he doesn’t think that guideline goes far enough and said the corporation will be issuing a formal statement suggesting the government require AI translations to be reviewed and corrected by a real human.

“For me, this is an immediate red flag,” Petrov said. “Because if you want to produce something that’s intended for public use, or that has a serious nature such as legal documents, legally binding documents, or technical documentation or commercial documentation without a review, you are set for trouble sooner or later.”

Petrov said he thinks ChatGNB will open the door for AI to be used for more tasks. “There should be a human being in charge who can be held responsible for what they produce.”

CBC News (1/29/26) By Victoria Walton

Read Full Article

Following a multistate demand letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in November 2025 led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, the FCC has published a long-delayed Multilingual Alerts Order in the Federal Register requiring the expansion of cell phone emergency alerts to include American Sign Language and 13 additional languages.

Wireless Emergency Alerts are short, text message-like alerts sent by government agencies through cell carriers to warn the public of imminent threats, including severe weather, natural disasters, missing persons, and other public safety emergencies. These alerts are among the most widely used public warning tools in the U.S., but for years were issued only in English, with Spanish only supported more recently.

Wireless carriers now have until June 12, 2028, to update their systems to support multilingual alerts in Arabic, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), French, German, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese, as well as American Sign Language. This expansion will benefit an estimated 1.3 million New Yorkers statewide who are not proficient in either English or Spanish and will now be able to access critical, life-saving information during emergencies.

“This is a profound victory for the millions of New Yorkers and families across the country who will no longer be left without guidance during emergencies and natural disasters,” said Attorney General James in a statement. “No one’s ability to protect themselves and their loved ones should depend on the language they speak. I am proud to have stood with my fellow attorneys general and advocates nationwide to push this rule forward. This language expansion will save lives.”

Office of the New York State Attorney (1/21/26)

Read Full Article

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has announced that all driver’s license tests will now only be issued in English.

FLHSMV said they are implementing the change statewide and will no longer allow interpreters for any of the oral exams or the printed tests. The change began on February 6 and will apply to all driver license classifications, including oral exams, FLHSMV said.

Previously, knowledge exams for most non-commercial driver license classifications were offered in multiple languages, while commercial learner’s permit and commercial driver license knowledge exams were only available in English and Spanish. Under the updated policy, all driver’s license knowledge and skills testing will be conducted in English.

To implement this change, FLHSMV has updated its driver license testing system statewide. Any printed exams in languages other than English will be removed from use.

“FLHSMV remains committed to ensuring safe roadways for all Floridians and visitors by promoting clear communication, understanding of traffic laws, and responsible driving behavior,” the department said in a statement.

CBS Miami (2/5/26) By Ana Maria Soler

Read Full Article

A new bill would help Colorado students get recognition at graduation for being fluent in more than one language.

Colorado lawmakers established a process in 2017 for districts to create a seal of biliteracy to be awarded at graduation. Students earn the endorsement if they show proficiency in English and another language through grades and tests.

House Bill 1028, which passed the House Education Committee, states that only 55 of Colorado’s 179 school districts offer a biliteracy seal. This disproportionately leaves out students in rural districts or small schools. The bill creates a new bilingualism diploma endorsement and expands the ability of schools to offer biliteracy and the new bilingualism endorsements.

Students in districts that haven’t created their own endorsement would still need good grades and to take tests measuring competency in English and another language. They would be able to work with a college, university, or a Colorado Department of Education-approved educational nonprofit partner to receive an endorsement.

State Representative Elizabeth Velasco said bilingual students live in every corner of the state, but too many can’t showcase their mastery. The endorsements help demonstrate students’ abilities to employers and colleges. “We want to make sure that kids are able to elevate their skills no matter where they live.”

The bill would require the Colorado Department of Education to set uniform statewide educational requirements for the bilingualism endorsement. Districts that don’t have a program could work with a college or educational non-profit for a fee.

Jorge Garcia, chair and chief executive officer of the Colorado Association for Bilingual Education, said during committee testimony that the current seal has helped students access scholarships and get the recognition they deserve for their abilities. His organization supported the 2017 law.

“In the spirit of continuous improvement, we see the opportunity for us to go even farther, the opportunity to increase access,” Garcia said.

Chalkbeat (2/5/26) By Jason Gonzales

Read Full Article