Are Cloned Voices a Safe Localization Strategy?

Welcome to our LinkedIn Newsletter

In our latest update we share new research, open surveys, and invitations to webinars and industry events. Plus, read our thoughts on regulating AI and if cloned voices are a safe localization strategy. Also, we are excited to announce the recent launch of an industry-wide survey on gender and family in the language services industry. The original study, published in 2017, revealed that the industry is above average with respect to gender equality, but also pointed out structural obstacles that some may face in their careers. Participate to help us see how the industry is trending.

Read on to learn more!

What to Know

Business Confidence Levels at LSPs

Results of CSA Research’s 9th confidence survey of the CEOs at top LSPs, our longest-running business indicator, indicated a rough end of year for many. The survey (conducted?end of?Q4 2022) revealed that just under one-half of respondents (46%) saw their business earn more compared to the previous period. However, their forecast paints a brighter picture for the first half of 2023, despite the fact that the first quarter of the year is often a slower period for LSPs.?

Our takeaway, though, is that the trendline is on the rise – LSPs are slowly but surely rebounding from pandemic-induced losses. But have we reached the same balance of growth as pre-pandemic? Not yet. Back in 2019, the percentage of LSPs that reported growing was 64%. For the market to be “back to normal,” we’d want to see several consecutive periods in which two-thirds of LSPs report growth. Learn More

Are Cloned Voices a Safe Localization Strategy?

Synthetic voices are no longer just robotic-sounding readers. Advances in technology now enable companies to create a cloned or copied version of an actual voice – whether from celebrities or your CEO – and use it to record speeches they haven’t made or speak languages they don’t even know. Is this a safe and ethical strategy? Learn More

How Localization Teams Can Support Global Digital Transformation

Localization teams are a critical repository of the expertise needed to revamp digital transformation initiatives on a global scale, but they often lack the mandate, resources, and playbook to take on this role. As a result, organizations often fail to include the international component of customer experience – which constitutes a strategic mistake. In this “Ask the Analyst” piece, Rebecca Ray shares how localization teams can serve as an engine to enable multi-local customer experiences in digital transformation plans. Learn More

The Business and Financial Challenges of Freelancers

High inflation and falling rates are causing concern for language professionals, with many contemplating leaving the industry. 452 freelancers and interpreters share what motivates them and the challenges they face. Learn More

What to Read

Governmental Focus on AI

The increasing fascination with generative AI technology such as ChatGPT has sparked a demand for regulation of artificial intelligence, which will have a ripple effect on the language industry. As of now, responsibility for critical mistranslations arising from MT on a company's website remains uncertain. We predict, that within a year some unlucky company will become the textbook case that decides this matter. Arle Lommel?delves into the potential impact of current and proposed AI regulations on the localization sector, outlining specific hazards that businesses utilizing AI must be mindful of.?Read/Listen to the Blog

AI for the Good of Humanity

Exciting developments are happening at the intersection of AI and accessibility. This is what technology should be all about - helping human beings, with kindness. Developments like XRAI Glass and Signapse provide virtual sign language interpreters and live transcription. Ethical practices like digital watermarks ensure traceability as more AI applications emerge. Read/Listen to the Blog by Alison Toon .

How to Participate

Gender & Family Survey

Please participate in CSA Research's survey on gender and family in the language services industry.?The report will be available to all at no cost. We encourage you to?participate?in the follow-up to the 2017 study to see how the industry has progressed and how factors such as the pandemic have impacted work and family life.??? Thank you to Argos Multilingual, Latamways, MasterWord, OXO Innovation, and Women in Localization for donating their time and resources to test and translate the survey. We appreciate you! ?? Take the survey.

Survey: 2023 Market Study

Please register to receive notification of CSA Research's 19th annual study of the language services and technology market launches.?Register Here

? Find out more about our study and get access to our data from our rankings of the largest language service providers from 2019 to 2022.?Learn More

Where to Be

March 9: [Webinar panel] Categories of Translation. Don DePalma and Arle Lommel are participating in this panel hosted by FIT - International Federation of Translators - Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs (North America). Register here.

March 12-15:?[In person]?GALA Annual Conference, Dublin, Ireland.?Alison Toon?presents "Multimedia, Accessibility, and the Global Intersection with Inclusivity” on March 14.

April 20:?[Webinar panel]?Open Discussion: The Future of Machine Translation. As large language models (LLMs) become more prominent, how are MT providers responding? Join experts from?CSA Research,?Lengoo,?Lilt,?Smartling,?SYSTRAN, and?Unbabel?for an open exploration of MT and its changing technology, all in a no-slide, discussion-oriented format driven by your questions and suggestions.?Register here.

June 6-8:?[In person]?#LocWorld49?Malm?. Sponsorship opportunities are available. ?? Find information about?#LocWorld49?Malm? conference?here.