I read an interesting article recently on AI and the translation industry (see “If AI is so good, why are there still so many jobs for translators?” by Greg Rosalsky as published in NPR’s Planet Money at npr.org).
The article discusses the impact of AI on the job market, particularly for translators, and highlights that while AI has advanced, it has not replaced the need for human expertise in translation.
Here’s a summary of the key points from the article:
AI Hype: While the hype about AI and human job losses in any industries has grow this year, in particular, this issue has been the subject of discussions and speculation since 2006 with the release of Google translate (early machine translation).
AI and Job Market: Despite the advances in AI, jobs for human translators and interpreters are growing, not declining.
Human vs. AI Translation: AI has improved machine translation, but it still lacks the reliability and nuance that human translators provide.
Industry Growth: The demand for human translators is increasing due to globalization, with projected job growth over the next decade.
AI as a Tool: Human translators are using AI to enhance productivity, focusing on creative and nuanced aspects of translation.
After reading the article, one may reasonably ask if there are any specific areas where AI excels in translation?
While AI has made significant strides in translation, there certainly are specific item and areas where it excels:
Speed and Volume: AI can process large volumes of text quickly, making it ideal for tasks like simple, real-time chat translation or handling massive datasets.
Consistency: AI maintains consistent terminology and style across translations, which is crucial for technical documents or legal texts. However, the use of Computer Assisted Translation software also allows a translator to maintain consistent terminology too, realizing the same benefits.
Resource Availability: AI can be available 24/7, allowing for continuous translation without human fatigue or time constraints.
It is important to note that AI lacks the nuanced understanding, cultural context, and creativity that human translators bring to the table. For creative content, idiomatic expressions, or sensitive communication, human expertise remains irreplaceable.
After reading the article and reflecting on my own experience with AI while performing translations, I think that if we humans have trouble “reading the room” or in understanding the context of a document or a conversation, then AI is still years away from being able to try and do either of these successfully.
So, I believe that the answer to the question posed in the title of the article and this blog is “No, translators will not be replaced by AI; instead, translators will use AI to be more productive.”
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