The department wishes to hear from specialists that could help further its understanding of what could be offered by current tools on the market, as well as possible future developments
The Home Office is exploring the possibility that artificial intelligence-powered technology could be used in UK immigration and border operations to automatically transcribe and translate languages other than English.
The department has published a commercial planning notice alerting the market that it is issuing a request for information through which it hopes to gain details of technologies currently available, as well as those that may provide additional capabilities in the future.
Prospective suppliers wishing to take part in the RFI exercise have until the end of the month to respond. Firms are advised that the Home Office is interested in technology that could, variously, transcribe, translate, and/or interpret speech in a range of official contexts.
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The notice says: “The Home Office Migration and Borders System (which includes: Asylum and Human Rights Operations; Border Force; Immigration Enforcement; Visas, Status and Immigration; and Passports, Citizenship and Civil Registration) is conducting market research to gather information regarding automated translation and transcription technologies to further understand both current and potential future market capabilities.”
It adds: “The Home Office have identified three distinct but interrelated types of requirements. These include: interpretation; translation; and transcription.”
Those participating in the feedback exercise are instructed that “this RFI is issued solely for information purposes and does not constitute a request for proposal, request for quotation, or invitation to bid”.
To respond to the RFI or to find out more information, company representatives are asked to email Home Office officials in order to receive an initial document containing specific questions and some background details. In order to submit a response, participants will also be required to return a signed non-disclosure agreement.
