Automation of translation services could potentially reduce demand for human translators.
Breaking Down the AI Translation Boom
Automated translation tools like Google Translate, DeepL, and even ChatGPT are taking the world by storm, with millions depending on them daily for translating messages, emails, and documents. In the US, this surge has noticeably affected the hiring of human translators, as revealed by a recent study. Yet, the global translation industry continues to expand.
Translating Trends
The proliferation of AI translation tools has largely impacted the US labor market. According to a study by Oxford University, regions where these tools gained significant traction between 2010 and 2023 experienced drops in translator employment. Particularly, there was a decline in job offers requiring foreign language skills, especially in Spanish, Chinese, and German.
However, it's essential to note that while the rate of job growth declined, the number of translator jobs in these regions still increased, just not as rapidly as in regions with less AI adoption.
A Different Scenario for Quebec
Quebec, however, presents a distinct context. Betty Cohen, President of the Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ), emphasizes that commercial needs drive translation in the US. In contrast, Quebec's bilingual nature necessitates highly precise translations of legal documents, a task that machines struggle to tackle.
Cohen recounts instances where clients attempted to replace human translators with AI-based tools, only to return after realizing the importance of human oversight during the translation process, particularly for texts that carry significant reputation risks.
Opening Doors for Developing Countries
AI-based translation technologies, according to the researchers, will create opportunities for developing countries to participate more actively in the global services market, providing skills in areas like engineering, marketing, and consulting. By breaking down language barriers, these tools have the potential to unlock new possibilities for non-English speakers.
Productivity Boost for Translators
Contrary to fears of job displacement, the global translation market is projected to grow from $74 billion in 2024 to $98 billion by 2030. AI is expected to increase translators' productivity, enabling them to tackle more tasks without sacrificing quality. As Aaron M. Cohen points out, while AI can handle basic tasks, it's the human touch that adds the necessary nuance, cultural understanding, and creativity to complex texts.
So, while AI may automate certain translation tasks, the translation industry overall seems unlikely to vanish anytime soon. Instead, AI is expected to create new career paths and opportunities for human translators who can leverage this technology effectively.
Insights:1. AI translation tools are becoming increasingly popular, with significant advancements in technology leading to near-human quality translations.2. The introduction of AI translation tools has affected the hiring trends of human translators in certain regions.3. While AI may automate certain translation tasks, it is not yet capable of replacing human translators for complex or culturally sensitive tasks.4. Translators are expected to focus on high-value tasks that require human skills, like creativity and cultural expertise, as AI takes over routine tasks.5. AI has the potential to create new career paths and opportunities for human translators, such as roles like AI trainer, quality controller, and prompt engineer.
[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-34571-9[2] https://www. guns.com/news/2022/10/17/future-of-ai-not-just-human-robot-battle-royale-part-2[3] https://www.forbes.com/sites/ berndschmid/2019/01/24/ the-problem-with-op-eds-and-other-content-generated-by-ai/?sh=51be62ce4809[5] https://www.brookings.edu/research/artificial-intelligence-and-the-future-of- work-a-sweeping-survey-of-research-findings/
- The Quebec translation industry, due to its unique bilingual needs and focus on legal document precision, remains a promising field for human translators, as the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in translation may struggle with complexities.
- In the realm of personal finance and technology, there is an emerging opportunity for the integration of AI-based translation tools to facilitate easier access to global financial services for non-English speaking individuals in developing countries.
