The unconference in Punta del Este organized by Translated‘s Research Center, imminent, was the perfect opportunity to bring together senior people in translation, localization and artificial intelligence. During this third edition, the focus was on the challenges of languages in Latin America, humans in the future of translation and humans and AI.
The unconference generated valuable insights and takeaways:
Understanding Language Preferences & Context is Fundamental
Recognizing the language preferences, understanding the target country’s culture and social factors is crucial for effective communication and market success. Languages facilitate communication, but it is the cultural nuances that truly connect people.
Human Depth vs. Machine Understanding
While machines can generate understandable words, they lack the depth of human understanding. Translators transition from content creators to reviewers of machine-generated translations. Humans play a crucial role in enhancing the output of AI, revolutionizing content creation while preserving cultural identities.
Changing Dynamics in Translation Costs
Predictions suggest that translation costs for some languages may approach zero with sufficient data availability.
Empowering Young Individuals with Technology
Young individuals should leverage technology for their advantage, but there is a gap between university education and industry needs.
Rebranding and Education
The language industry was the first to adopt AI and now has an opportunity to rebrand and educate stakeholders about the use and reach of AI, following advocacy efforts for language inclusion.
Thriving in a Changing Landscape
Thriving in the changing landscape involves anticipating AI growth, identifying emerging needs, investing in training, upskilling, and understanding the pivotal role of data in the future of translation. Academia needs to align with market demands to prepare future linguists for evolving roles in the industry. The localization industry faces the challenge of preparing for the next billion users entering the digital realm.
Inclusive Considerations
Inclusion extends beyond linguistic diversity; genuine inclusivity involves considerations for the blind, hard of hearing, and other diverse groups.
The unconference highlighted the interplay between humans and AI, addressed the misconception among business people that open AI (such as ChatGPT) can solve their language problems faster and in a more cost-effective way, emphasizing the need for adaptability and strategic foresight in navigating the evolving landscape of language and technology.