New report reveals biggest business communication challenges—and how Language AI solves them

With over 8 billion people worldwide, humanity thrives on its diversity of cultures and languages. However, this richness also brings challenges, particularly in global business communication. 

According to our recent global survey of DeepL customers—and the insights of best-selling author of The Culture Map, Erin Meyer—both language barriers and cultural nuances make it difficult for employees to communicate and collaborate with colleagues, partners, and customers worldwide.

Read our latest report, “The language revolution: how AI improves the way businesses communicate”, to understand how businesses are overcoming these barriers to success.

In this report, you’ll learn: 

• How effective communication drives business success—and the price of getting it wrong
• Strategies for overcoming AI roadblocks and hesitations
• Understanding general-purpose AI vs. specialized models
• Real-world examples of how businesses are leveraging Language AI 
• A practical step-by-step checklist for getting started with Language AI

Real stories: how Language AI transforms business

Organizations worldwide are already adding significant value to their operations by integrating Language AI.

• Faster, better communication: employees at Panasonic Connect—part Panasonic Group, the Japanese multinational electronics company—are using Language AI to bridge language barriers with ease. Shoji Otsubo, Senior Manager at Panasonic Connect, shared how AI has drastically improved his company’s efficiency: “It used to take staff up to half a day to translate a document from Japanese to English. With DeepL, this task is completed in minutes. It’s lowered barriers and empowered our employees to express themselves clearly.”
• Enhanced productivity: Daniel Lloyd, Partner at TLT, described how AI frees up time for higher-value work: “AI transforms how we handle routine tasks like drafting documents or presentations. It’s faster, more accurate, and allows us to focus on delivering real value to clients.”
• Streamlined operations: global manufacturing leader DMG MORI, with 12,000 employees across 43 countries, considers English the official company language, but it must maintain smooth communication with its Japanese parent company. By adopting Language AI-powered solutions, it boosted efficiency across the supply chain, enabling departments worldwide to collaborate better and serve customers more effectively. 

Language and culture barriers are costly

Imagine the frustration of employees who struggle to communicate with colleagues, partners, and customers due to language barriers. With only 20% of the world’s population speaking fluent English, this is a problem that arises constantly. And in today’s fast-paced global economy, miscommunication is more than an inconvenience—it’s a liability. 

Ineffective communication can cost businesses upwards of $54,860 per employee per year, according to a recent Axios HQ study. Moreover, businesses lose billions annually due to unclear or ineffective writing.

According to Meyer, “Ignoring cultural differences isn’t just a faux pas—it’s a recipe for disaster. Think broken partnerships, lost customers, and even multimillion-dollar mergers falling apart.”

That’s where Language AI comes into play.

Breaking down barriers with AI

Language AI is revolutionizing how organizations communicate, helping them navigate the complexities of a multilingual business landscape. By breaking down language barriers, Language AI enables faster collaboration, clearer communication, and increased productivity.

Consider these findings from DeepL’s recent survey of customers across EMEA and the US:

• Top language challenges: 35% are hindered when it comes to global market expansion and 32% struggle with customer engagement due to language barriers.
• AI adoption plans: though adoption varies widely by industry, a significant percentage of decision-makers (72%) are planning to invest in AI solutions in 2025.
• AI translation tools: over one-third of respondents see AI translation tools as essential for enhancing in-house translation, and many prefer solutions that blend human expertise with AI.

As Justin Shields, Director at Vodafone Business Platforms & Solutions, underscored, “Combine curiosity with clear guidelines, and trust your team to use AI responsibly. This approach is critical to creating a successful partnership between humans and AI.”

Companies that invest in AI today are laying the groundwork for future success. In 2025, businesses will increasingly look at how AI delivers measurable ROI. Leaders who act now will position their organizations to thrive in the years ahead.

Language AI report: your roadmap for the future

The ability to communicate seamlessly across borders and languages will be a distinguishing factor for global enterprises. 

Leaders who act now to incorporate Language AI into their operations will position their organizations to thrive in the years ahead. And as businesses continue to invest in AI and lay the groundwork for future success, they are laser focused on those solutions that deliver maximum value. 

Read DeepL’s latest report today and discover how Language AI can help your global business unlock its full potential.