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Since ChatGPT burst onto the scene in 2023, discussions about “AI” have dominated the language services industry. For language professionals – translators, interpreters, and even language teachers – this rapid evolution brings a mix of excitement and unease.
As a member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL), I recently attended the organisation’s webinar at the Language Show on AI’s impact on linguists. It was an eye-opening discussion about the threats and opportunities AI presents to our profession. Here are my thoughts on the key takeaways.
Why Many Language Professionals Feel Threatened by AI
It’s no secret that the rise of AI has left many language professionals feeling a bit… jittery. And it’s not hard to see why. Here are some of the biggest concerns highlighted during the webinar:
1. Pressure on Rates
AI-powered tools like Google Translate or DeepL have made translations faster and cheaper – at least on the surface. Many clients, especially those unfamiliar with the nuances of language, assume that “if AI can do it, why should we pay more for a human?” This has led to downward pressure on rates, leaving professionals feeling undervalued. Spend five minutes on Proz.com, and you’ll find countless posts bemoaning the rapid decline in expected rates and work volumes. Many of us (myself included) are feeling the pinch financially!
2. Client Expectations
Alongside rate pressure comes a growing demand for speed. AI has set unrealistic expectations for turnaround times, with some clients believing human linguists can (and should!) match the pace of machines. But quality work takes time – a fact not acknowledged by all clients.
3. Data Security
AI-powered tools often require uploading client documents into machine translation engines hosted in the Cloud. But how many clients realise their sensitive data might be stored or used to train these systems? For linguists, this raises serious ethical and security concerns, especially when handling confidential documents.
4. Quality Concerns
While AI-powered machine translation is improving at lightning speed, it still gets things wrong. Very wrong, in some cases! From awkward phrasing to outright mistranslations, machine translation often lacks the cultural sensitivity and nuance that only a human can provide. In a previous blog post, I share an example of once such mistranslation.
Reject or Embrace AI? The Case for Adaptation
Given these challenges, it’s no surprise that many language professionals want to discredit or outright reject AI.
But realistically, is that the right way forward?
In my humble opinion, the answer is no.
The genie is well and truly out of the bottle, and there’s no turning back. Being in denial won’t make AI go away. As the webinar emphasised – and as I personally believe — adaptation is key to survival in this rapidly changing landscape.
Just as computers revolutionised our work decades ago (and the invention of the printing press centuries ago), AI is – like it or not – an all-encompassing trend that is reshaping our industry and, indeed, the world at large.
The brutal truth is this: those who adapt will thrive, while those who resist risk being left behind. This reality isn’t limited to our profession; it applies to industries and sectors across the board. So the question is, what’s more effective — trying to make the world mould to us, or learning to mould ourselves to the world?
That’s why adaptation is the only way forward. We must remain optimistic (as hard as it can be!) about the continuing role of human expertise in language work while exploring ways to use AI to enhance our skills and productivity.
Practical Ways Translators Can Harness AI
A key theme of the webinar was the importance of leveraging AI’s potential while staying aware of its risks. Here are some practical strategies to make AI work for us, not against us:
1. Stay Abreast of Developments and Technology
AI evolves fast, so staying informed is crucial. Regularly attend webinars, read industry blogs, and join professional groups to keep up with the latest tools and trends. Understanding what AI can (and can’t) do will help you position yourself as an expert, not a competitor. As part of my CPD, I’m committed to educating myself further about AI in the context of language services through online courses. This will help me better understand how machine translation works and how to use it effectively.
2. Use AI Wisely and Ethically
AI has the potential to drive down translation rates, but on the flip side, it can also significantly increase productivity if used correctly. For example, machine translation post-editing (MTPE) can speed up workflows, but it’s vital to ensure your output meets professional standards. Equally important is ensuring compliance with data protection regulations when using these tools.
3. Educate Clients (And “The World”) About AI’s Limitations
AI might be fast, but it’s far from perfect. One effective way to demonstrate this, as highlighted in the webinar, is by sharing examples of AI translation mistakes. Whether through blog posts, social media platforms such as LinkedIn, or client conversations, showcasing these errors can help clients understand the value of human expertise.
Final Thoughts: Adapt to Survive
Drawing on insights from the webinar and my own experience, I’ve reached this conclusion: we must adapt to survive. The responsibility lies squarely on us as professionals to take charge of our careers, learn how to harness AI’s potential, and navigate the challenges it presents to our livelihoods – or even our sense of identity.
Because… what’s the alternative?
Rewind the clock to 23:59, 29th November 2022, and “stop” ChatGPT before it unleashed the “chaos” we see today?
Even if we could, another bombshell like ChatGPT would inevitably drop in the future. So, painful as it may seem, we truly have no choice but to adapt to this new landscape.
And if that’s the case, why not do it with an open mind and an optimistic (or at least realistic) attitude? By embracing the opportunities AI brings, we might just find a way to thrive in this brave new world.
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