Bill proposes English as Wisconsin’s official state language, AI interpreters in court proceedings

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) – A bill establishing English as Wisconsin’s official state language and allowing artificial intelligence as a translation tool in court proceedings was discussed at a hearing with the Assembly Committee on Science, Technology, and AI on Wednesday, Oct. 22. 

Republican State Representative Dave Murphy and Republican State Senator Andre Jacque said the Assembly Bill 377 they’ve co-sponsored would expand access to Wisconsin’s government operations. 

“Despite a broad spectrum of viewpoints on U.S. education or immigration policy, there is widespread agreement that English proficiency is critical to societal integration, future success, and achieving the American dream,” Jacque said. 

“This is sort of a beginning step in where we know the future is,” Murphy said. “It’s a commonsense step to clarify our state’s language policy, save tax-payer money."  

Both lawmakers specified that the bill would not limit people from using other languages in non-governmental practices. 

While the bill was discussed in committee, some lawmakers acknowledged that AI could make mistakes, a risk if this bill were passed. 

“We cannot replace the access provided by an interpreter in any language, with AI because it is not equivalent to accessibility,” said Democrat State Representative Ben DeSmidt. 

The ALCU of Wisconsin made a statement opposing this bill, stating that the right to effective translation in criminal proceedings for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) individuals is a fundamental right, guaranteed by Wisconsin law and the federal Constitution. 

“We cannot replace the access provided by an interpreter in any language, with AI because it is not equivalent to accessibility,” one woman studying to be a sign language interpreter said at Wednesday’s hearing. 

Thirty other U.S. states have made English the official state language.