Highlights from LocWorld51

LocWorld51 in Dublin, Ireland, showcased the latest knowledge and trends in the localization industry. The conference provided numerous opportunities to connect with industry peers, including structured networking events and informal gatherings. Here are just a small selection of highlights from the event.

Artificial Intelligence Beyond the Fog of Hype and Hysteria

Presenter: Elin Hauge (AI Expert and Business Strategist)

Discussion Points: According to Elin Hauge, understanding the basics of artificial intelligence should be as compulsory for any leader in 2024 as having a computer. She claims that knowledge and competence are the only viable path for sustainable and profitable decision-making in the era of artificial intelligence. The launch of chatGPT made artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, the hottest topic of 2023. Elin delivered the keynote emphasizing that artificial intelligence is here to stay, how this impacts you, and what you should do to remain relevant!

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of authentic data.
• Al is the natural next step.
• Raise the bar on human knowledge.
• Al is a toolbox.
• It takes a village to raise a child. It will take a planet to raise AI.

Localization Unplugged: Crafting Unforgettable In-App Harmonies Globally

Presenters: Rose Morgan (Spotify), Jennifer Vela Valido, Ph.D (Spotify)

Host: Francesca Sorrentino (Phrase)

Discussion Points: Balancing local and global strategies and establishing a new cross-functional framework to achieve local relevance, business alignment, and scalability across 74+ locales at Spotify. Success stories and pitfalls of the journeys towards a structured process that optimizes engagement and partnership with internal stakeholders and service providers to ensure content is culturally relevant and operational complexity is reduced.

Key Takeaways:

• How to influence global product roadmaps based on cultural and linguistic analysis at specific points in the creative ideation phase to reduce churn, make data-driven decisions, and create culturally relevant products.
• How to design a scalable framework to involve internal employees to review high-visibility localized content, ensuring it’s on-brand.
• How to optimize partnerships with local market teams and translation language providers to take advantage of their in-country and cultural expertise.

Welcome to the Era of Hyper-Automated Localization

Presenters: Esther Curiel (Zoetis), Charlie Keating (Pega), Maziar Nodehi (Venizum), Phil Ritchie (Vistatec), María Jesús de Arriba Díaz (Workday)

Moderator: Georg Ell (Phrase)

Discussion Points: Highlighted the transformative impact of AI and hyper-automation in localization, emphasizing efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

Key Takeaways:

• The market is driving towards hyper-automation as the only way to deal with scaling issues for localization.
• Hyper-automation has huge potential benefits and tangible value for organizations.
• There is an inflection point where spending patterns shift away from most human-powered processes.
• Improved translation accuracy and quality through advanced AI models.

Unifying Content and Language Teams: A Synergistic Approach

Presenter: Giselle Tran (Sage)

Host: Aoife Murphy (Vistatec)

Discussion Points: Explored the benefits of integrating content and language operations to improve content quality, customer experiences, and time-to-market.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the interplay between content creation and localization.
• Strategies for efficient and cost-effective content translation processes.
• Building customer-centric solutions through collaborative team dynamics.

The Localization Optimist Manifesto

Presenters: Peter Reynolds (memoQ), Jon Ritzdorf (Procore), Unn Villius (Vistatec)

Moderator: ??Dave Ruane (Lion People)

Discussion Points: Examined market trends, technology advancements, and educational initiatives. Emphasized the resilience and opportunities in the localization industry, presenting a positive outlook despite challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• Discussion of the current issues that are impacting the localization industry.
• Presentation of ideas that assure our future.
• A positive, forward-looking industry discussion.

Process Innovation Challenge (PIC) Challenge Winners

• Winner: CaptionHub with "CaptionHub Live," recognized for its groundbreaking real-time AI live-subtitling technology. James Jameson & Tom Bridges (CaptionHub)
• Notable Finalists: Oscar Martinez Diaz (Loc&Capture Media Services), Bruno Bitter (Blackbird?io), Henrique Cabral (Bureau Works), Aimee Ansari (CLEAR Global), and Dylan J. Hartmann (AcudocX).

Special Mentions

• CLEAR Global: Recognized for their innovative process for information dissemination in low-connectivity, low-literacy contexts. CaptionHub donated the PIC prize cheque to support their mission.
• Well done to the Vistatec Marketing Department for all their hard work behind the scenes. Thanks to María Roa , Daniela Foga?a de Oliveira , Meredith Hutchinson , and Emily Carroll .
• Thank you to the Vistatec team on the ground at LocWorld, Phil Ritchie , Unn Villius , Emma H. , Teresa Lawless , and Aoife Murphy , along with everyone who joined us for the Vistatec event!
• Congratulations to ??Dave Ruane and Alex Bernet for another innovative Process Innovation Challenge (PIC).
• Well done to Paula McGrath , Bruno Herrmann , and the team at International Achievers Group for recording the 'Top Voices' show at the LocWorld event. This was made unique with the use of a mobile recording studio and the great support from the media team at Tinpot Productions . It was a wonderful addition to the proceedings. Make sure to watch or listen to the episodes with Giulia Tarditi and Simon Hodgkins !

Thank you once again to the LocWorld team, It was another excellent conference, made extra special by the location! Thank you, Ulrich Henes, Donna Parrish, Anne Marie Colliander Lind, Alex Bernet , and the wider team.

LocWorld 51 showcased innovative ideas and solutions, setting new benchmarks for the localization industry. 3 Days, 40+ Sessions, 80+ Speakers, Exhibits, Networking & More!