The Translating Europe Forum 2024, held in Brussels on November 6-8, brought together language industry professionals, researchers, and technology experts to discuss the evolving landscape of translation services in the age of AI.
Under the motto “Words Matter,” the conference addressed crucial topics including the integration of AI in translation workflows, the changing roles of language service providers and freelancers, and the importance of maintaining human expertise in an increasingly automated industry. Key themes emerged around the responsible use of AI technologies, the need for human oversight in specialized fields like legal translation, and the opportunities for innovation in language services.
The event highlighted how the European Commission’s DG Translation is leading the way with AI-powered multilingual services while emphasizing the continued importance of human translators as custodians of language quality and cultural nuance.
For language service providers and their clients, the conference provided valuable insights into balancing technological advancement with maintaining translation quality and adapting to changing market demands.
Using Generative AI to Enhance Existing Tools
The European Commission’s DigiTranslation showcased its impressive suite of AI-powered multilingual services during the morning session. Their flagship e-Translation service, launched in 2017, now supports 32 languages and continues to evolve with the integration of large language models. The presentation highlighted new tools like e-Briefing and e-Reply, which operate within secure environments and demonstrate how AI can enhance rather than replace human work. Particularly noteworthy is the EU’s commitment to developing its own European large language model (EU LLM) using its vast multilingual database and supercomputing resources, specifically designed to better serve smaller European languages.
AI-Powered Terminology Extraction
Josh Goldsmith’s hands-on presentation demonstrated practical applications of AI tools for terminology extraction. He showed how free tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot can be leveraged for extracting terminology from various sources, including documents, websites, and audiovisual content. The session emphasized the importance of human verification and the need for careful prompt engineering to achieve optimal results. This pragmatic approach showed how AI can streamline terminology work while maintaining professional standards.
Quality Assessment with AI
Natalia Horbachevska from Task Force presented insights into how LSPs can adapt to the changing market conditions. She highlighted that while the traditional translation market is experiencing some decline, new opportunities are emerging, particularly in multimedia and interpreting services. The presentation emphasized the importance of offering new services like Human Check for AI-generated content, showing how LSPs can position themselves as quality gatekeepers in the age of machine translation.
Terms Still Matter
A compelling presentation on legal terminology emphasized that despite AI advances, precise terminology management remains crucial, especially in specialized fields like legal translation. The speaker highlighted how terminology is not just about words but about human-controlled data that shapes understanding. This session reinforced the importance of maintaining human expertise in handling complex terminology, particularly in high-stakes environments like EU legal translation.
The Role of Linguists in an AI Future
Marina Pantcheva’s keynote address provided a fascinating comparison between how children learn language and how large language models process it. She emphasized that while AI systems require trillions of words to achieve basic competency, human translators develop nuanced understanding with far less exposure. The presentation highlighted the unique strengths of human translators, including their ability to transfer knowledge between domains and understand cultural nuances – capabilities that current AI systems struggle to replicate.
Freelancers and LSPs: Different Views, Same Goals
The panel discussion between freelancers and LSP representatives revealed interesting perspectives on industry evolution. While LSPs are rapidly embracing AI technologies, often driven by client demands, freelancers express more caution about integration. The discussion emphasized the need for better communication between LSPs and freelancers, and the importance of maintaining quality standards while adapting to new technologies.
Youth Panel Insights
A refreshing perspective came from young industry professionals who shared their experiences navigating the modern translation landscape. They emphasized the importance of developing diverse skill sets, including AI literacy and prompt engineering. The panel highlighted how younger professionals often have an advantage in adapting to new technologies while maintaining focus on core linguistic skills.
Conclusion:
TEF 2024 demonstrated that the translation industry is at a crucial juncture where technology and human expertise must find a balanced coexistence. For LSPs and their clients in technical industries, the message is clear: success lies in strategically implementing AI tools while maintaining strong human oversight and expertise. The future belongs to those who can effectively combine technological innovation with deep linguistic and cultural understanding.
For PRODOC Translations and our clients, these insights reinforce our approach of combining technical expertise with advanced language technology. As we continue to integrate AI solutions into our workflows, we maintain our commitment to delivering precise, culturally appropriate translations that meet the specific needs of the automation industry and other technical sectors.
[Note: The content of this blog post is based on sessions from the Translating Europe Forum 2024. For more information about the event, visit the official European Commission website.]