As event organizers look for new ways to improve accessibility and engagement for increasingly diverse audiences, AI-powered translation and real-time captioning emerged as one of the fastest-growing technologies used during the 2026 commencement season.
While educators continue to debate how AI should be used in classrooms, Over the past year, Wordly has seen demand for AI translation from higher education institutions double as colleges and universities seek scalable ways to engage increasingly diverse audiences, including approximately 1.2 million international students during the 2024/2025 academic year.
According to the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors Report, approximately 1.2 million international students studied in the United States during the 2024/2025 academic year, reflecting growing linguistic and cultural diversity and increasing demand for real-time language access at public events. As U.S. campuses become more diverse, institutions are looking for scalable ways to support students, families, and guests who speak different languages during one of the year’s largest and most visible events.
“Commencement is one of the most meaningful moments in a student’s life,” said Lakshman Rathnam, Founder and CEO of Wordly. “Every family should be able to experience it in real time, in a language they understand. What we’re seeing extends beyond higher education. Event organizers increasingly view AI translation and captioning as a practical way to create more inclusive experiences without adding operational complexity.”
Wordly data shows demand for AI translation in higher education has doubled over the past year as colleges and universities seek more scalable ways to support increasingly diverse campus communities. Institutions, including SUNY Oswego, Mount Saint Mary’s University, and the University of New Mexico, have implemented AI translation and captioning for large-scale campus events, including commencement ceremonies.
SUNY Oswego first introduced AI-powered translation and captioning at its December 2024 commencement ceremony and has since expanded its use to additional campus events. Attendees access real-time captions and translations through a QR code, providing a new layer of accessibility for families who previously had limited language support options.
Unlike traditional interpretation services that often require specialized equipment, headsets, and advanced coordination, AI-powered translation allows attendees to access captions and translations instantly on their own devices, helping event organizers simplify logistics while expanding language access.
Higher education institutions cite several factors driving adoption, including improved accessibility for multilingual communities, increased attendee engagement, scalability across dozens of languages, operational efficiency, and ease of deployment at large gatherings.
The growing use of AI translation at commencement ceremonies signals a broader trend across the meetings, events, education, nonprofit, and association sectors, where organizations are seeking technology solutions that improve accessibility, inclusion, and audience engagement at scale.
Wordly makes it easy and affordable to offer translation and captions for all your school offerings. Make classes, meetings, and events more accessible with live translation & captions powered by AI. For more information, go to www.wordly.ai.
