TEXAS — Major transportation funding is heading to North Texas as the region prepares to host the FIFA World Cup, with part of the investment aimed at improving 911 emergency response through artificial intelligence-powered language translation technology.

Officials say the funding will be especially critical for Arlington, where AT&T Stadium will host nine World Cup matches, including a semifinal — the most of any host city in North America. 

With hundreds of thousands of soccer fans expected to attend matches and related events, the North Central Texas Emergency Communication District estimates it could encounter callers speaking between 20 and 30 different languages.

“We’re really excited for the World Cup,” said Rodger Mann of the North Central Texas Emergency Communication District.

Mann explained that the expected surge in international visitors will likely increase demand for translation services.

“We’re expecting to see a higher usage in language translation services,” Mann said.

To help address that demand, the North Central Texas Council of Governments has approved $1.2 million in funding, with $200,000 allocated for artificial intelligence software designed to support emergency dispatch operations.

The Midlothian Police Department said the AI technology will help 911 operators quickly identify the language a caller is speaking, helping reduce delays in emergency response.

“Our goal is that we can AI to identify that language and that’ll reduce our time and get them in contact with a human-to-human translator,” said Christine Thompson of Northern Ellis Emergency Dispatch.

North Texas officials say the added technology will streamline dispatchers’ workflows and save valuable seconds during emergencies.

“The automation we’re putting in place — the text to language within microseconds. Instead of us having to conference in a human interpreter to find the right person, we can find a language very quickly,” Mann said.

Dispatch leaders emphasize that preparation is underway, but real-world conditions will ultimately determine how the system is used.

“We can prepare. We have plans in place, but the actual response is really just dependent on the calls,” Thompson said.