It’s no shock that the Big LSPs, MT providers, and CAT tool makers are pushing for automation in translation. AI has given them the tools to do this, and they’re finding ways to minimize human involvement with their preferred machine translation post-editing workflows.
What surprises me is how many translators are buying into this vision, too.
Even within our community (and even among those using CotranslatorAI!), some are still trying to push files through the machine for speed, train the AI on everything they can find, and seek cheap shortcuts in their work.
We can’t compete with the Localization Illuminati on this basis.
They have the resources to dominate the market.
Fortunately, we don’t have to go head-to-head with them that way.
Just because AI can pull text from a vast database doesn’t mean it’s the best reference for quality work. Running an algorithm over static data doesn’t create something new and wonderful.
To truly leverage AI, we need a proactive, holistic approach. It’s not about plug-and-play solutions. It’s about responsibly integrating AI into our workflows to enhance our unique skills.
It’s going to take some effort.
It means curating prompts and iterating on our work for the best results. AI can boost efficiency, but our commitment to quality is what will open up new markets and opportunities.
Our AI-powered workflow must include:
1. Dynamic iteration
This isn’t about perfecting a prompt in advance. It’s about a cycle of improvement on a workflow basis, creating translations that resonate with our audience.
2. Focused reference content
Feeding too much data into the AI overwhelms it. Curate your anchor prompt within the iterative process to avoid dead wood in your work.
3. Efficiency boosts
Within this iterative approach, use workflow accelerators and prompts appropriately.
These elements lay the foundation of the Micro Iterative AI Frameworks, the underlying methodology embedded into the AI Workflow Mastery for Translators program here at CotranslatorAI.
If you want to join the Localization Illuminati as they keep edging you out, go ahead.
(BTW, how many actual practicing translators presented at last week’s localization AI conference? Or the one the week before? Or the two before that?… Exactly. That’s my point.)
But if you want to push the AI further in your voice and return to the creative process you love, keep watching this space.
It’s not going to easy, and not everyone will join us.
But this is the future of high-quality, competitive translation in our industry that will open up new markets for our skills.
If you don’t agree with me, there’s another narrative out there you can follow. Good luck with that…
But if you love our profession as much as I do and want to be part of a translator-centered movement for change, let’s get the word out together.
I also encourage you to learn and practice these advanced AI-supposed techniques, so we can get our mojo back!
What do you think? Are you tired of hearing me beat the same drum, week in and week out? Or am I getting through?