Callers to Washington State Hotline Get Accented AI English Instead of Spanish

The state's driver's license agency is working to fix the issue after the odd-sounding accent drew attention on social media.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Callers to Washington state's driver's license agency who select automated service in Spanish are instead hearing an AI voice speaking English with a strong Spanish accent. The agency has apologized and says it's trying to fix the problem and find out how the error happened, as the voice slips Spanish numbers into key phrases.

Why it matters

This technical glitch highlights the challenges that government agencies face in providing accessible multilingual services, especially as they adopt newer AI-powered technologies. The issue has drawn public attention and criticism, underscoring the need for thorough testing and quality control when implementing language support features.

The details

The Washington Department of Licensing says the self-service line has been upgraded to support 10 languages using newer AI technology, but that the upgrade backfired, resulting in callers who select the Spanish option hearing an AI voice with a strong Spanish accent speaking English instead.

  • The issue was reported on February 27, 2026.

The players

Washington Department of Licensing

The state agency responsible for driver's licenses and vehicle registrations in Washington.

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What they’re saying

“The self-service line has been upgraded to support 10 languages using newer AI technology but that the upgrade backfired.”

— Washington Department of Licensing (bakersfield.com)

What’s next

The Washington Department of Licensing says it is working to fix the issue and find out how the error happened.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of thorough testing and quality control when implementing new language support features, especially those powered by AI, to ensure accessible and reliable government services for all residents.