AI and the Welsh Language: What You Need to Know
Author: Andrew Collins;
Reading Time: 3 minutes
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The Welsh Language Commissioner has published a new policy statement on AI and the Welsh language. Here are the key points organisations in Wales should be aware of.
In July 2025, the Welsh Language Commissioner published a Regulatory Policy Statement on Artificial Intelligence and the Welsh Language. It sets out how organisations that want to adhere to Welsh language standards are expected to approach AI, and it has real implications for the third sector in Wales.
The core message is straightforward – adopting AI does not exempt organisations from their Welsh language duties. Any AI system used to deliver services must treat Welsh no less favourably than English. But the report also makes clear that AI, used well, offers genuine opportunities to strengthen Welsh language provision, not just a compliance burden to manage.
The opportunities
The Commissioner identifies several areas where AI can actively support the Welsh language. These include real-time translation and transcription tools, speech-to-text and text-to-speech in Welsh, and the potential for AI to help organisations produce content in Welsh from the outset rather than translating from English after the fact.
The report also highlights the evolving role of translators — not as people being replaced by AI, but as language strategists, AI editors, and user experience specialists whose expertise becomes more important, not less, as AI-generated content becomes more widespread.
The risks to be aware of
The report is clear that some uses of AI are already likely to result in non-compliance with Welsh language standards. Specific examples include:
- Chatbots that start a conversation in Welsh but then revert to English-only provision
- Automated translation of official documents without human review by a competent Welsh speaker
- Voice recognition systems that work well in English but not Welsh
- Staff training or recruitment tools delivered in English only
A subtler risk is also highlighted: AI systems that say positive things about the Welsh language without actually producing content that is culturally relevant or linguistically natural. Sounding supportive is not the same as being useful to Welsh speakers.
What organisations should do
The Commissioner sets out eight core principles for organisations to follow, covering equity, linguistic accuracy, transparency, accountability, privacy, responsible innovation, ongoing compliance, and staff training. For most third sector organisations, the practical starting points are:
- Test any AI system in Welsh before using it in a service. Do not assume that because a system works in English, it will perform equally well in Welsh
- Never use automated translation for official or public-facing content without human review
- Design bilingual services from the start, rather than building in English and translating later
- Ask your AI tool providers directly about how Welsh is supported in their systems
- Keep records of the language used in service delivery, including AI-assisted interactions
A living document
The Commissioner acknowledges that this is a rapidly developing area and that the policy statement will be reviewed and updated as AI use evolves. Organisations are actively encouraged to contact the Commissioner with questions about how their Welsh language duties apply to specific uses of AI.
You can read the full policy statement on the Welsh Language Commissioner’s website. It is available in both Welsh and English, and is essential reading for any organisation in Wales using AI to deliver services.
If you would like support thinking through how AI affects your organisation’s Welsh language responsibilities, get in touch with our team to learn how we can support you.
Commissioned by Catalyst
