Artificial intelligence (AI) has ceased to be a futuristic concept and has become an integral part of everyday life. From medical diagnostic systems to personalized recommendations on social networks, AI technologies are transforming the world. One of the areas where its influence is especially noticeable is the translation business. However, the rapid development of AI is causing not only enthusiasm, but also concerns. What opportunities do new technologies open up, and what risks do they pose for translators?Breakthroughs in deep learning and neural networks have radically changed the approach to natural language processing (NLP). Models such as GPT-4, BERT, and Transformer demonstrate the ability to generate texts that are difficult to distinguish from human ones. For example, neural network translators such as DeepL and Google Translate have reached a level where their results require minimal editing, especially for common language pairs. However, post-editing is still necessary.
The translation industry has already felt the impact of AI. Here are some examples. CAT tools (Computer-Assisted Translation), such as Trados with AI integration, speed up work with repetitive terms. Translation companies reduce costs by 30-50% using hybrid models (machine translation + post-editing). However, this is just the beginning. By 2025, according to CSA Research, 75% of technical translations will be performed with the participation of AI.
AI a threat to the profession or new horizons?
The main fear is the disappearance of the translator profession. Indeed, AI takes on routine tasks: website localization, document translation. But experts agree: instead of complete replacement, the role of the specialist will be transformed. There will be a decrease in demand for low-skilled translators and an increase in demand for experts: editors, linguists-analysts, AI training specialists are needed. Medical, legal, literary translations still 100% require human understanding of the context and creativity.
AI is a tool that enhances the professional, not replaces them.
However, the widespread use of AI in translations faces a number of ethical issues:
Confidentiality - using data to train models can violate privacy. For example, confidential documents processed in public services become vulnerable. Algorithms reproduce stereotypes from training data. AI can incorrectly interpret gender or cultural nuances. And most importantly, who is responsible for errors? Who is to blame if a machine translation of a contract leads to a lawsuit?
AI opens up fantastic opportunities, but its development must be accompanied by an ethical framework and a rethinking of the role of a person. Translators of the future will have to become "guides" in the world of AI - correcting machine errors, working with texts and maintaining cultural sensitivity. Technologies are neither good nor bad - it all depends on how we use them. The task of humanity is to direct the potential of AI to the service of progress without losing its uniqueness.
