Amazon introduces AI translation for Kindle self-published books

Amazon has unveiled Kindle Translate, a new artificial intelligence tool designed to help self-published authors make their books available in multiple languages. Launched in beta for select Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) users, the feature currently supports translations between English and Spanish, and from German to English. The company aims to expand language options in the future, offering authors an easier and more affordable way to reach global readers.

Through Kindle Translate, authors can choose which languages they want their ebooks translated into and set separate list prices for each version. Before publishing, writers can preview the translated text to review how their content will appear in the new language. According to Amazon, all translations go through an automatic accuracy evaluation process before publication. Books produced using this feature will carry a “Kindle Translate” label, indicating that AI-assisted translation technology was used.

The new tool addresses a major gap in Kindle’s global book catalog. Currently, fewer than five percent of titles available on Amazon’s Kindle platform exist in more than one language. Kindle Translate aims to increase this number by removing the barriers of cost and accessibility that often prevent independent authors from translating their works. By making multilingual publishing simpler, Amazon hopes to connect authors with a wider audience of readers across different regions.

Translated ebooks will also be eligible for KDP Select and Kindle Unlimited, allowing them to reach more readers through Amazon’s subscription-based reading services. The launch of Kindle Translate follows a similar move by Amazon’s audiobook service, Audible, which recently introduced an AI narration tool capable of producing multi-lingual audio versions of books.

With this latest step, Amazon continues to integrate AI into its publishing ecosystem, aiming to simplify the creative process for authors and expand the availability of content for readers around the world. The company’s efforts suggest a growing focus on using artificial intelligence to bridge language gaps in digital publishing.