Artificial intelligence (AI) has changed the translation industry very quickly over the last few years. Today, anyone can paste text into a translation tool and get an answer in seconds. It’s fast and sometimes can be good, but when used with caution.
AI translation tools have become important because they are excellent at recognising patterns in language. They can analyse huge amounts of text and predict what words are likely to come next. The important thing to remember, though, is that AI doesn’t actually understand what it is saying. It predicts language based on probability, not meaning or intent.
That matters more than people realise. For example, in 2017 a man was reportedly arrested because a social media AI translated his ‘good morning’ post as ‘attack them’. Whether the mistake was caused by the translation itself or the way it was interpreted, it highlighted a serious issue: language errors can have real-world consequences.
For everyday communication, a translation that’s 95% accurate might seem impressive. In some industries, however, that remaining 5% can be disastrous.
Consider legal contracts. One incorrectly translated word or even a single preposition could alter liability and create expensive disputes. In medical documentation, a mistranslated dosage instruction could put lives at risk. In diplomacy, misunderstandings between governments can have serious consequences.
This is where human expertise becomes essential.
Language is not just a collection of words. It is tied to culture, history, humour, and social context. People don’t always say exactly what they mean, and that’s often where AI struggles.
Take the British phrase “with all due respect”. On paper, it sounds polite and complimentary. In reality, it often means something much closer to “I think you’re completely wrong”. A machine may translate the words perfectly while missing the actual message entirely. The same problem appears with slang, irony, sarcasm, and regional expressions. A literal translation of an idiom can be technically correct while making no sense whatsoever to the reader.
A good translator is not just a language expert. They are a writer in their own right, capable of recreating the tone, style, and emotional impact of the original work. That’s something no algorithm has been able to master.
None of this means AI should be ignored. Quite the opposite.
AI translation offers loads of advantages. It delivers instant results, reduces costs, and can handle huge volumes of text in a fraction of the time it would take a person. Used correctly, it can significantly improve efficiency.
This is why the industry is increasingly moving towards Machine Translation Post-Editing (MTPE). Rather than replacing human translators, AI produces an initial draft which is then reviewed and refined by a qualified linguist.
In many ways, the role of the translator is evolving rather than disappearing. Human translators are becoming high-level editors and quality controllers who ensure that translated content is accurate and appropriate for its audience.
At ITL, this is exactly how we view AI. We use technology because it can speed up workflows and support our linguists. However, AI is a tool, not a replacement for human expertise. Every translation requires human judgement and cultural understanding.
The future of translation is unlikely to be humans versus AI. More realistically, it will be humans working alongside AI, combining the speed of technology with the insight and understanding that only people can provide.
Because when accuracy, reputation, and meaning really matter, a human still needs the final say.
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