Police force red-faced after translation blunder on AI-generated Facebook posts

29 August 2023 , 13:35

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Dyfed-Powys Police used an AI tool to create the Facebook posts (Image: WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)

A blundering Welsh police force posted a translation of an anti-drink-warning saying: "You will be loved throughout the day" thanks to an AI blunder.

The computer-generated Facebook posts were lost in translation after the force used a computer-generated tool to create the signs. One post in English read: "Drinking coffee, eating, sleeping and showering don't make you sober up any faster.

"If you have a heavy or late night drinking you could still be impaired all the next day."

But the Welsh translation was turned into: "Drinking coffee, eating, sleeping and being showered doesn't make you sober faster. If you drink late or late at night you can be loved throughout the day afterwards as well."

The blunder was made by the Dyfed-Powys Police force that covers the rolling countryside up to the England Wales border.

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The translation blunder appeared on Facebook posts (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

People are calling for the force to use humans to translate (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Another comment said: "Prescription medicines can affect your driving ability. If you've been prescribed any of these, talk to your doctor about whether you're safe to drive."

But the algorithm turned it into Welsh that said: "Prescription medicines can affect your ability to cry. If you have had a prescription for one of the following, talk to your doctor before driving."

Police are asking people to follow their page for an accurate translation (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Followers have now urged the force to use a Welsh speaker instead of relying on a computer. One said: "Really think it might be a good idea to do the English first and then get someone who can actually speak Welsh do the translation rather than the computer."

Another said: "This gave me a good laugh but really Dyfed-Powys Police must have a Welsh speaker that can help them out."
Followers of the page often debate the merits of the translation.

The force said: "Please note that any automatic translation of this text is provided by Facebook, not by Dyfed-Powys Police, and may contain errors. For the English language version of this post, please visit our page."

Lorraine King