Technology and the Welsh language

The purpose of this call for information is to help the Welsh Government gather information and ideas to inform our work for technology and the Welsh language, by helping to gather:

• information and evidence about the needs of people who want to use Welsh language technology 
• ideas and opinions on what’s needed to make Welsh language technology easier to use

When we published our Welsh language technology action Plan (2018), we wanted to design technological advances so that the Welsh language could be used in a wide range of situations, using the human voice, keyboard or other means of interaction. The final report on the 2018 Plan is also available: Welsh language technology action plan: final report 2018 to 2024. The next steps will build on the work we’ve done so far.

The 2018 Plan’s priorities were to develop and share new infrastructure for the Welsh language, in particular:

• Welsh Language Speech Technology 
• Computer-assisted translation 
• Conversational Artificial Intelligence 

One of the main principles of that Plan was to develop a culture of open innovation. We wanted more Welsh language digital resources and data to be available, without unnecessary conditions limiting their use, and for these to be shared under a suitable licence, open and permissive wherever possible, to support efforts to innovate digitally for the benefit of the Welsh language.

Since we published the Welsh language technology action plan in 2018, we’ve funded, created, and worked on many of the components that the Welsh language needs in the digital age. 

We’re now looking to the next steps for Welsh language technology. We'd love to hear from everyone that has an interest in Welsh tech, their opinion on what still needs to be developed.

One goal of our Cymraeg 2050: A million Welsh speakers strategy is to increase the use of our language, so we’d also like to know what type of technology would help increase the use of the Welsh language? 

What needs to improve to make it easier for people to use technology in Welsh?

We’re accepting comments by emailing Cymraeg2050@gov.wales or by post. 

The call for information closes on 01 October 2024.

We’ll be re-contacting some of you to elaborate on your answers. If you don’t want us to do this, please tell us this in writing when you send your response.

You can submit information or a point of view about any issue you think is relevant to people's use of Welsh language technology.

We’re keen to hear about some specific issues, so we’ve put together some questions to help you.

You don’t have to respond to every question. Just share where you have relevant information or opinions.

We want technology to contribute to our Cymraeg 2050: A million Welsh speakers goal, to increase the daily use of Welsh. 

1. What kind of technology needs to be developed to help people use more Welsh?
2. Are there gaps where Welsh language technology isn’t available at all or where it needs improvement?
3. Are there barriers to using technology in Welsh? If so, what are they?

We want to ensure that Welsh language technology can be used in different situations, socially or in the workplace, for example. The technology can also be for people who want to use it in both Welsh and English.

4. What’s needed to facilitate the experience of people who want to use Welsh language technology in the workplace? 
5. What’s needed to facilitate the experience of people who want to use digital services in Welsh?
6. What’s needed to facilitate the experience of people who want to use Welsh language technology socially? 
7. What’s needed to facilitate the experience of people who want to use technology in both Welsh and English? For example, being able to speak to a smart assistant in either language. 

We need to make technology available in Welsh for people with specific needs. For example, disabled and older people, people with additional learning needs, or people with needs resulting from a medical treatment, a cognitive or a physical impairment. This isn’t only so that people can use the Welsh language but also so that they can use it easily, without causing them additional challenges. 

8. What would improve the experience of people with additional learning needs when using Welsh language technology? 
9. What would improve the experience of people who want to use Welsh language technology for medical reasons, or if they have a physical impairment? 
10. What would improve the experience of older people who want to use Welsh language technology?

Under the data protection legislation, you have the right:

• to be informed of the personal data held about you and to access it
• to require us to rectify inaccuracies in that data
• to (in certain circumstances) object to or restrict processing
• for (in certain circumstances) your data to be ‘erased’
• to (in certain circumstances) data portability
• to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) who is our independent regulator for data protection

For further details about the information the Welsh Government holds and its use, or if you want to exercise your rights under the GDPR, please see contact details below:

Data Protection Officer

Data Protection Officer
Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ

E-mail: data.protectionofficer@gov.wales

Information Commissioner’s Office

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Website: Information Commissioner’s Office website

The Welsh Government will be data controller for any personal data you provide as part of your response to the call for information. Welsh Ministers have statutory powers they will rely on to process this personal data which will enable them to make informed decisions about how they exercise their public functions.

Any response you send us will be seen in full by Welsh Government staff dealing with the issues which the call for information is about or planning future consultations.

Where the Welsh Government undertakes further analysis of responses then this work may be commissioned to be carried out by an accredited third party (e.g. a research organisation or a consultancy company).

Any such work will only be undertaken under contract. Welsh Government’s standard terms and conditions for such contracts set out strict requirements for the processing and safekeeping of personal data.

In order to show that the call for information was carried out properly, the Welsh Government intends to publish a summary of the responses to this document. We may also publish responses in full.

Normally, the name and address (or part of the address) of the person or organisation who sent the response are published with the response. If you do not want your name or address published, please tell us this in writing when you send your response. We will then redact them before publishing.

You should also be aware of our responsibilities under Freedom of Information legislation. If your details are published as part of the response then these published reports will be retained indefinitely. Any of your data held otherwise by Welsh Government will be kept for no more than 3 years.