Microsoft has a wild hologram that translates HoloLens keynotes into Japanese
The combination of universal #translators and #holograms opens up a whole new world of #communication for us all as #Microsoft demonstrates
Key takeaways
- See it in action Microsoft has shown off holograms of people before, but the translation aspect is a step beyond what’s been possible with HoloLens.
- The HoloLens 2 might be targeted at businesses for now, but Microsoft is obviously attempting to build software and services that will scale to wherever augmented reality and mixed reality might end up heading.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2019) 'Microsoft has a wild hologram that translates HoloLens keynotes into Japanese', 311 Institute, 5 September. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/microsoft-has-a-wild-hologram-that-translates-hololens-keynotes-into-japanese/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Recently I had the pleasure of working on Microsoft's annual Artificial Intelligence (AI) thought paper, but AI isn't the only technology on the company's mind after they recently showed off their latest HoloLens hologram technology capable of transforming someone into a digital clone of themselves speaking another language, awesome! And I want one, I can imagine boring people with my keynotes now not just in one language but hundreds! The software giant unveiled the technology during a keynote at the Microsoft Inspire partner conference in Las Vegas. Microsoft also added that they’d recently scanned Julia White, a company executive for Azure, at a Microsoft Mixed Reality capture studio to transform her into an exact hologram replica, in something that I guess is just another normal day at the office for her… anyway, back to the story.
As you can see from the video the digital version of Julia appeared onstage to translate her keynote into Japanese. In order to pull off the trickery Microsoft used its Azure’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) cloud tech and Natural Language Translation (NLP) Text-to-Speech synthesis engine that worked by taking recordings of White’s voice, so as to create a personalised voice signature, and then make it sound as though she was speaking Japanese.
See it in action
Microsoft has shown off holograms of people before, but the translation aspect is a step beyond what’s been possible with HoloLens. This looks like it’s just a demonstration for now, and you’d need access to a Mixed Reality capture studio to even start to take advantage of this. Microsoft’s studios are equipped with lighting rigs and high-resolution cameras to capture a fully accurate digital hologram of someone, which isn’t something that can be done easily at home with a smartphone, just yet although that’s something that Samsung is working on with its only slightly less awesome Video to Video to VR tech.
Still, Microsoft’s demonstration is certainly impressive and it speaks to the company’s ambitions with Azure, HoloLens, and beyond. The HoloLens 2 might be targeted at businesses for now, but Microsoft is obviously attempting to build software and services that will scale to wherever augmented reality and mixed reality might end up heading.
What this means for your organisation
Presence without travel.
A lifelike hologram can deliver a talk in another country. Leaders could reach global audiences without flying. Events could become hybrid by default.
Your voice in any language.
AI can make you sound like yourself speaking a language you do not know. That widens reach to new markets. Firms must protect staff from misuse of their voice.
Studios are the bottleneck.
Capturing a full hologram still needs special equipment. Costs will fall as phones gain similar abilities. Leaders should watch for affordable capture tools.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Where could digital presenters help us reach new audiences?
- How would we protect the voices and likeness of our leaders?
- When would hologram presentations make sense for our events?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
The combination of universal #translators and #holograms opens up a whole new world of #communication for us all as #Microsoft demonstrates
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- Mixed Reality capture studio theverge.com
- HoloLens 2 might be targeted at businesses for now theverge.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 5 September 2019. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2019). Microsoft has a wild hologram that translates HoloLens keynotes into Japanese. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/microsoft-has-a-wild-hologram-that-translates-hololens-keynotes-into-japanese/
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