Articles on: What's new

Use AI to Translate and Generate Email and SMS Content

Plans: Enterprise Platforms: All platforms, API


Overview 


Save time and reach more customers in more languages without starting from scratch. This article covers how you can use AI to automatically translate your email and SMS templates, and how you can generate new content directly inside the editor.


What you'll learn


  1. Before you begin
  2. AI Translation



a. Add a language inside a flow

b. Duplicate and translate an email template

c. Translate directly inside the email editor

d. Translate an SMS in the SMS editor



a. Translate the email subject line

b. Translate a specific block of text


  1. AI Generation


a. Generate an email subject line

b. Generate email body text

c. Rewrite existing email text

d. Generate SMS text


  1. FAQs


Before you begin


A few things to keep in mind before using AI translation or generation:


  • Dynamic content is not translated: Fields like customer names, product details, and personalized data will remain unchanged. AI only translates the static, editable content in your templates.
  • HTML email templates have limited translation support: If your email was built with the HTML editor, AI can only translate the email subject line, not the body.
  • AI Generation creates text only: You can generate subject lines, body text, and SMS messages, but full template generation from scratch is not yet available.


AI Translation


AI Translation lets you localize your email and SMS content into multiple languages automatically. You can translate an entire template at once, or translate just a specific section.


Method 1: Translate an entire email or SMS


Use this method when you want to localize a full template in one action. All content elements, such as the subject line, body text, and buttons, are translated while maintaining your design and layout integrity.


There are four ways to access full-template translation:


Option 1: Add a language inside a flow


Use this when you're setting up multi-language notifications in a flow.


  1. Go to Notifications > Flows in your AfterShip Tracking admin and open your flow in the editor.
  2. Add an Email or SMS action.
  3. Click the {...} menu on the action and select Add languages.
  4. Choose your target language and select a translation option from the dropdown.
  5. Click Translate with AI to start translating, review the three generated versions, and pick the one that best fits your needs.





Option 2: Duplicate and translate an email template


Use this when you want to create a translated copy of an existing template.


  1. Go to Notifications > Email Templates in your AfterShip Tracking admin.
  2. Find the template you want to duplicate.
  3. Click the {...} menu and select Duplicate.
  4. Check the Translate content with AI option and select your target language.
  5. Start translating, review the three versions, and select the best one.





Option 3: Translate directly inside the email editor


Use this to translate a template you're already working on in the editor.


  1. Open your email template in the flow editor.
  2. In the left sidebar, go to the Layers tab.
  3. Click the AI Translate button at the top of the Layers tab.
  4. Language selection depends on where you're working:


  • In the Email templates module: Select your target language from the dropdown menu.
  • In the Flow email action: The AI automatically translates based on the language configured for that email in the flow.


  1. Review the three translated versions and select the one you want.





Option 4: Translate an SMS in the SMS editor


Use this when you're working on an SMS template inside a flow.


  1. Open your SMS template in the flow editor.
  2. In the Text section, locate the content field you.
  3. Click the AI magic icon to open AI options.
  4. Select the Translate to {Language} option. This translates your text into the language of the SMS editor you currently have open. If the translation doesn't meet your expectations, you can request a new version or refine the existing one.
  5. Save the changes.





Method 2: Translate specific parts of an email


If you only need to update one section, you can translate individual elements without touching the rest of the template.


1. Translate the email subject line


Translate the subject line and preview text without affecting the rest of your template.


  1. Open your email template in the editor.
  2. Navigate to the Settings tab.
  3. Under the Email subject section, click the AI magic icon next to the subject line or preview text field.
  4. Select Translate to {Language} to from the dropdown menu.
  5. Your target language is based on where you're working:


  • Email templates module: Choose your target language from the dropdown menu.
  • Flow email action: The AI automatically translates based on the language configured for that email in the flow.


  1. Once the translation is generated, you have three options for how to proceed:


  • Apply the result, if the translation meets your needs.
  • Click Generate again to produce a new translation.
  • Click the Refine button and describe how you'd like the translation adjusted.





2. Translate a specific block of text


Translate specific text within your email template rather than the entire content.


This feature is currently available in the Basic email editor. Support for the Advanced email editor is coming soon.


  1. Open your email template in the email editor.
  2. Navigate to the Layers tab.
  3. Click on a text block to enter editing mode.
  4. Highlight the specific text you want to translate.
  5. Click the AI magic icon in the text editing toolbar.
  6. Select Translate to {Language} from the dropdown menu.
  7. Your target language is based on where you're working:


  • Email Templates module: Choose your target language from the dropdown menu.
  • Flow Email action: The AI automatically translates based on the language configured for that email in the flow.


  1. Once the translation is generated, you have three options for how to proceed:


  • Apply the result as is, if the translation meets your needs.
  • Click Generate again to produce a new translation.
  • Click the Refine button and describe how you'd like the translation adjusted.





AI Generation


AI Generation helps you write email and SMS content from a simple description. Instead of writing from scratch, just tell the AI what you need, and it will generate professional, ready-to-use versions for you.


Path: Notifications > Flows > Flow editor > Send email (Actions) > {...} > Manage > Select language > Edit email


Generate an email subject line


  1. Open your email template in the flow editor.
  2. Navigate to the Settings tab.
  3. Under the Email subject section, click the AI magic icon next to the subject line or preview text field.
  4. Select Generate content.
  5. Use this option to create content with AI by entering a prompt (up to 150 characters).
  6. Click Generate. You'll receive three generated options to choose from. If none of them meet your needs, you can regenerate results.





Generate email body text


  1. Open your email template in the flow editor.
  2. Navigate to the Layers tab.
  3. Click on a text block to enter editing mode.


  • To replace the full block: Click the block without placing your cursor inside, and the generated content will replace everything in it. 
  • To insert at a specific spot: Click inside the text field and place your cursor where you want the new content to be inserted.


  1. Click the AI magic icon in the text editing toolbar.
  2. Give a prompt, describing the content you want, and choose a tone.
  3. Click Generate to create content, review the three options, and select the one that works best or regenerate to get more options.





Rewrite existing email text


Use this to improve or rephrase text that's already in your template.


This feature is currently available in the Basic email editor. Support for the Advanced email editor is coming soon.


  1. Open your email template in the flow editor.
  2. Click on a text block and highlight the text you want to rewrite.
  3. Click the AI magic icon in the text editing toolbar.
  4. Choose a rewrite option:


  • Modify with a prompt: Describe how you want the text changed
  • Rephrase: Improve the wording while keeping the same meaning
  • Shorten: Make the text more concise
  • Lengthen: Expand the text with more detail


  1. Review the result and apply, regenerate, or refine as needed.




Generate SMS text


Path: Notifications > Flows > Flow editor > Send email (Actions) > {...} > Manage > Select language > Edit SMS


  1. Open your SMS template in the flow editor.
  2. In the Text section, locate the content field.
  3. Click the AI magic icon and select Generate content.
  4. Describe what you want the message to say, and choose a tone.
  5. Click Generate to create content, review the three options, and select the one that works best or regenerate to get more options.



FAQs


1. Will AI translate my customers' names or order details?


No, dynamic fields like names, product information, and personalized data are never translated. Only static, editable content in your template is affected.


2. Can I use AI translation with HTML email templates?


Only partially. HTML-built emails support AI translation for the subject line only. The email body cannot be translated with AI.


3. Can AI generate a full email template from scratch? 


Not yet. AI Generation currently supports individual text elements like subject lines, body text blocks, and SMS messages. Full template generation is not available at this time.


4. I'm in a flow, do I need to select a language each time?


No. When working inside a flow, the language is automatically set based on what's already configured for that email or SMS action. You only need to manually select a language when working in the Email Templates module.


5. What if I don't like any of the three generated options?


Click Generate again for a fresh set of options, or click Refine to give the AI more specific instructions about what you're looking for.


Need help?


Need more help? Contact our support team via live chat, and we'll be happy to assist.




Updated on: 10/03/2026