VLC Media Player Gets Mulitlingual AI Subtitles Generated On-Device

VideoLAN, the nonprofit organization behind the globally popular VLC media player, has revealed a significant new feature at CES 2025.

The new tool enables real-time subtitle generation and translation powered by artificial intelligence, all without requiring internet connectivity. Jean-Baptiste Kempf, president of VideoLAN, described the system as one designed for user privacy and functionality: “What’s important is that this is running on your machine locally, offline, without any cloud services. It runs directly inside the executable.”

VLC automatic subtitles generation and translation based on local and open source AI models running on your machine working offline, and supporting numerous languages!
Demo can be found on our #CES2025 booth in Eureka Park. pic.twitter.com/UVmgT6K4ds
— VideoLAN (@videolan) January 8, 2025

This represents a key step in enhancing accessibility for VLC’s vast user base while maintaining the organization’s longstanding commitment to privacy and open-source principles.

AI Subtitles For Media Accessibility

The AI subtitle tool processes video content directly on a user’s device using locally running models. This localized approach eliminates the need for cloud-based services, reducing latency and ensuring that user data never leaves the device.

The new feature can translate subtitles into over 100 languages, demonstrating its potential for accessibility across global audiences. The system can both generate subtitles and translate them into the user’s preferred language in real-time.

Previously, the generation of subtitles in VLC relied on external plugins, such as OpenAI’s Whisper, a widely recognized speech recognition tool designed for transcribing and translating audio. By integrating similar functionality directly into VLC’s software, VideoLAN has created a solution that is both more secure and more convenient for users.

At CES 2025, VideoLAN demonstrated the AI subtitle feature’s ability to translate subtitles in real-time. Supported languages include German, Hebrew, Japanese, and French, among others.

While the full list of supported languages and technical specifications has yet to be released, the company has promised additional details in an upcoming blog post. Kempf explained that the goal is to ensure the tool is accessible to as many users as possible, irrespective of their location or language.

Whether users are streaming foreign films or consuming educational content, the AI subtitle tool has the potential to expand VLC’s utility across different audiences and contexts.

Local AI Model Processing

The technology powering VLC’s AI subtitles relies on locally running artificial intelligence models, a decision rooted in privacy and practicality. Unlike cloud-based systems that require constant internet connectivity and send user data to external servers, local models process information entirely on the user’s device.

This setup not only enhances privacy but also ensures functionality in regions with limited or unreliable internet access.

Local AI models, such as those featured in this system, are increasingly favored for their ability to operate independently of external infrastructure. This design is particularly valuable for applications requiring high-speed processing or those where user privacy is a priority.

For users, this translates into faster performance, reduced reliance on internet connectivity, and assurance that their data remains secure.

VLC’s Legacy of Innovation

VLC, first launched in 1996 as a student project at Ecole Centrale Paris, has grown into one of the most downloaded and widely used open-source media players in the world.

The project initially aimed to enable video streaming across the university campus but evolved into a cross-platform application supporting virtually all media formats. As Kempf noted, “The number of active users of VLC is actually growing, even in this age of streaming services.”

During the announcement at CES, VideoLAN celebrated surpassing 6 billion downloads—a milestone few software tools achieve. VLC’s enduring popularity stems from its simplicity, broad compatibility, and dedication to being free, ad-free, and devoid of any commercial revenue streams.

A Privacy-Focused Vision for the Future

VLC’s approach to AI subtitles aligns with VideoLAN’s broader commitment to privacy and user autonomy. By ensuring that all processing happens locally, the organization continues to prioritize its users’ control over their own data. This philosophy has been central to VLC’s success and remains a core element of its identity in an era increasingly dominated by cloud-dependent services.

VideoLAN’s announcement at CES highlights how open-source projects can remain competitive and relevant in a fast-changing technological environment. As VLC continues to evolve, its new AI subtitle feature serves as both a technological advancement and a reaffirmation of its core principles.