2024: Embracing a Collaborative Model for Translators in The AI Era

From AI-innovation to AI conceptualization

2023 was a year marked by innovation in AI-driven translation tools. 2024 emerges as a pivotal juncture. Reflecting on the swift evolution of technology, we stand at the forefront of a new translation technology paradigm, reshaping the landscape not only for language professionals but also placing a spotlight on the vital importance of treating translators with fairness, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to ethical values.

The previous year, 2023, revealed remarkable AI translation tools, with a special nod to the innovative collaborative AI Generative Language Engine of BWX , winner of the Process Innovation Challenge at LocWorld 50. Amid the marvels of technological advancements, it is crucial to underscore, conceptualize and understand that translators remain, and must remain, at the core of the translation process. Their expertise in navigating linguistic nuances and cultural contexts is unparalleled, and the ethical values they infuse into their work are invaluable.

The phases of AI development – Research AI, Applied AI, and Productivity AI – converge to give birth to a new era in translation services. Far from diminishing the role of human translators, 2024 symbolizes a year of empowerment and acknowledgment for these language professionals.

Hallucinations are left behind

Traditionally, translation was an intricate art requiring linguistic mastery and a profound understanding of cultural subtleties. Under the light of the democratization of translation tools, making them accessible to a broader audience, it is vital to emphasize that the integration of AI in Translation Management Systems is not a replacement for human translators but a valuable complement to their work.

While the term "Artificial Intelligence" might conjure futuristic images, it is essential to stay away from hallucinations and shift focus to the tangible outcomes new translation technologies bring to language professionals. It is not about sidelining human translators but enhancing their capabilities.

Training in new technologies is ahead

Dr. Stephen Doherty, in his paper “The Impact of Translation Technologies on the Process and Product of Translation” describes the current situation and the urgent need for training in innovative translation tools in this AI era as a means to protect professional translators from any unethical use of the translation technology by any of the stakeholders in the translation industry.

In the wake of TMs and MT software, the need for technological competencies for professional translators to remain on top, if not ahead, of change has never been more evident than it is now. With informed and effective use of TMs and MT, many of the known issues and shortcomings of these technologies can be overcome, especially in terms of translation quality, to somewhat mitigate the downward trend in pricing for translation services in line with tighter budgets and deadlines. Further empirical evidence of the effects that these tools have on productivity, consistency, and quality will add value to negotiations of fair and appropriate pricing and evidence-based best practices within the industry and academe—an agenda that is in need of much more collaborative attention.

From a standalone to a collaborative model

In 2024, the narrative isn't about the fear of human translators being replaced; it's about celebrating the translation technology innovation that empowers language professionals to achieve new pinnacles of accuracy, efficiency, and cultural sensitivity.

AI is not a threat but a powerful ally, harmonizing with ethical considerations to dismantle language barriers and foster global understanding and collaboration. AI in translation is not just a standalone tool but a catalyst for partnership, not only with technological marvels but also with fellow experts. The synergy between human expertise, artificial intelligence, and collaborative efforts becomes a driving force for efficient decision-making and creative problem-solving on a global scale.