Liu Qingfeng (L), chief of iFlytek, receives a plaque recognizing the company as the official exclusive supplier of automated translation software for the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. [Photo from Wechat account hefeigaoxinfabu]

Chinese AI firm iFlytek was announced as the official exclusive supplier of automated translation software for the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games at a press conference on Sept 16.

"iFlytek will provide technical support to the event through its innovative products and services in voice recognition, speech synthesis and machine translation."

Yu Hong, head of the technology department of the Beijing Olympics, made the remark at the press conference and expressed hopes to create an environment with less language barriers.

Since its inception in 1999, iFlytek has been committed to developing technologies related to speech and language processing, and it has emerged as a leader in its field, said Liu Qingfeng, chief of iFlytek, in a speech at the press conference.

"We will leverage advanced technologies to help improve services at the event, making it easy for participants from around the world to find out what they need to know and communicate with each other," said Liu, adding that it is his wish to spread Chinese voices and stories to the world.

Sponsors of the event are divided into four categories, namely Official Partner, Official Sponsor, Official Exclusive Supplier (which iFlytek belongs to) and Official Supplier.

"The marketing program for the event will help Chinese enterprises boost their international profile, and will help overseas enterprises to develop further," said Beijing 2022 President Guo Jinlong.