NWS用AI自动翻译天气信息，覆盖超6800万非英语家庭。
From Binary to Bilingual: How the National Weather Service is Using Artificial Intelligence to Develop a Comprehensive Translation Program
- 用AI训练大模型适配气象术语，实现多语言自动翻译。
- 已支持西班牙语、中文简体、越南语等四类语言，大幅减人工。
- 结合地图定位需求，确保关键信息精准送达弱势群体。
为建设更具备应对能力的国家，美国国家气象局（NWS）正在开发一项系统性多语言翻译计划，以服务6880万家中不使用英语的美国民众。本文介绍了基于人工智能的自动化翻译工具基础，该工具由NWS与LILT合作开发，利用其专利训练流程，使大语言模型（LLMs）能适应神经机器翻译（NMT）在气象术语和信息传递中的应用。系统设计支持各天气预报办公室（WFOs）和国家中心的可扩展部署，当前已涵盖西班牙语、简体中文、越南语及其他常用非英语语言。系统遵循多语言风险传播最佳实践，提供准确、及时且文化适配的翻译，显著减少人工翻译时间，降低整体运营负担。通过地理信息系统（GIS）地图识别各区域语言需求，优化资源分配，优先覆盖最需帮助的社区。整个项目贯穿伦理AI原则，确保透明性、公平性和人工监管贯穿翻译生成、评估与公众发布全过程。目前成果已上线实验网站，展示多语言天气预警、7日预报及教育宣传材料，推动建立真正惠及全体美国人的全国性预警系统。
原文摘要 · Abstract (English)
To advance a Weather-Ready Nation, the National Weather Service (NWS) is developing a systematic translation program to better serve the 68.8 million people in the U.S. who do not speak English at home. This article outlines the foundation of an automated translation tool for NWS products, powered by artificial intelligence. The NWS has partnered with LILT, whose patented training process enables large language models (LLMs) to adapt neural machine translation (NMT) tools for weather terminology and messaging. Designed for scalability across Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) and National Centers, the system is currently being developed in Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, and other widely spoken non-English languages. Rooted in best practices for multilingual risk communication, the system provides accurate, timely, and culturally relevant translations, significantly reducing manual translation time and easing operational workloads across the NWS. To guide the distribution of these products, GIS mapping was used to identify language needs across different NWS regions, helping prioritize resources for the communities that need them most. We also integrated ethical AI practices throughout the program's design, ensuring that transparency, fairness, and human oversight guide how automated translations are created, evaluated, and shared with the public. This work has culminated into a website featuring experimental multilingual NWS products, including translated warnings, 7-day forecasts, and educational campaigns, bringing the country one step closer to a national warning system that reaches all Americans.
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