7Q in the Spotlight: Dave Deasy of Wordly
"When disaster strikes, every second counts—and so does every word."
Welcome to the next edition of 7Q in the Spotlight, a series where we dive into candid conversations with tech leaders via seven simple questions.
Today we are chatting with Dave Deasy, the CMO of Wordly, which offers AI Translation for meetings and events that is “easy, accurate, secure, and affordable.”
Wordly has recently been in the news because of the role the company played during the devastating LA wildfires - read on to learn more.
What does Wordly do, and in your role, how do you support the mission?
Language should never be a barrier to understanding, safety, or belonging. At Wordly, we’re transforming the way people communicate by providing real-time AI translation in 60+ languages in real-time, without the need for human interpreters, making communication more accessible, scalable, and cost-effective. Whether it’s a government briefing, a business meeting, or a place of worship, our technology ensures that everyone has a voice, and everyone is heard.
In my role at Wordly, I have the privilege of sharing the incredible ways our customers use AI translation to bring people together. From helping emergency responders deliver life-saving information during a crisis to enabling churches to share words of faith and hope with multilingual congregations, I work to expand the reach of our mission. Because at the heart of what we do isn’t just technology, it’s connection, inclusion, and making the world a little smaller, one conversation at a time.
Could you share a specific example where Wordly’s real-time translation directly impacted public safety during an emergency?
When disaster strikes, every second counts—and so does every word. During the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, emergency updates were issued in real-time, yet over half of the county's population (55%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau) primarily speaks Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, or other languages at home. For these residents, critical life-saving information was difficult to understand, turning an already dire situation into an even greater risk.
That’s where Wordly made a difference. Our real-time translation technology was deployed to instantly translate press briefings and evacuation orders, ensuring that no one was left behind due to a language barrier. Families were able to receive critical updates in their own language, empowering them to make informed decisions about their safety. For emergency responders, this meant more effective coordination and a stronger, united community response.
In moments of crisis, communication is more than just words, it’s survival. And at Wordly, we’re committed to making sure every voice is heard, and every life is valued.
How quickly was Wordly translation deployed during the wildfires? What was the setup process like for LA County officials?
In an emergency, every moment matters and so does making sure every person understands the message. During the wildfires, speed was everything. LA County moved swiftly, deploying Wordly within hours to break language barriers and ensure that no resident was left in the dark.
Because Wordly is a cloud-based platform, there was no need for complex hardware or on-site interpreters. Furthermore, end users don’t need to create an account or download and app, make the process to access Wordly fast and easy. With just a few clicks, officials activated AI-powered translation on their devices, instantly converting critical evacuation orders and emergency briefings into multiple languages.
This rapid deployment meant that families, regardless of the language they spoke, received clear, real-time updates when they needed them most. In moments of chaos and uncertainty, Wordly helped minimize confusion, reduce delays, and ultimately save lives.
What is a lesson learned from LA County's use of Wordly that other municipalities could benefit from during similar crises?
One of the most powerful takeaways from the Los Angeles wildfires is the urgent need for proactive preparedness. While Wordly was deployed quickly, the crisis underscored a vital truth- the faster a city can communicate, the more lives it can protect.
Municipalities that pre-integrate AI translation into their emergency response plans can act with even greater speed and precision. Running test drills, training staff, and ensuring the technology is in place before disaster strikes can mean the difference between chaos and clarity. When every second counts, language barriers should never stand in the way of saving lives.
What is the largest challenge municipalities face when adopting AI translation solutions?
The biggest challenge is often awareness and willingness to adopt new solutions. Many municipalities are still reliant on traditional interpretation methods, which can be costly, slow, and difficult to scale in emergencies. AI translation offers a faster, more flexible solution, but some officials may be hesitant to adopt new technology due to concerns about accuracy or implementation complexity. Educating decision-makers on the recent advancements in AI translation, along with demonstrating its ease of use and reliability is key to overcoming these barriers.
How do you see the AI-powered translation landscape evolving in the next five years for both government and private sectors?
In the next five years, AI-powered translation will become even more seamless and context-aware. Advances in natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning will further improve accuracy, enabling AI to better understand regional dialects, industry-specific terminology, and even emotional nuances in speech.
At Wordly, we’re already ahead of the curve with our customizable glossary feature, which allows organizations to tailor translations to specific contexts—whether it’s for a government briefing, a medical discussion, or a corporate meeting. By integrating specialized vocabulary into our platform, we ensure that the translation is not only accurate but also relevant to the situation at hand, giving users more precise and actionable information. This level of customization will make live AI translation an indispensable tool, ensuring that communication in any language is both clear and contextually sensitive, no matter the scenario.
For governments, AI translation will be deeply embedded in public service infrastructures, from emergency response systems to multilingual citizen engagement platforms. Cities will move toward automated, AI-driven public information systems that provide real-time updates in multiple languages.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to join a cutting-edge tech company, but doesn’t have a background in AI?
You don’t need to be an AI engineer to make an impact in AI-driven companies! AI companies need experts in marketing, sales, product management, customer success, legal, and more. If you’re passionate about technology and problem-solving, focus on building skills that translate across industries, such as data analysis, user experience design, or strategic communication.
Also, stay curious. Follow AI trends, take online courses, and engage with AI communities. The industry is evolving so rapidly that new opportunities emerge all the time, making it an exciting space for people from diverse backgrounds.
Thanks so much for stopping by Beck on Tech, Dave!
-Molly Beck