There’s a lot of talk these days about how small LSPs are “doomed” in a world being reshaped by AI—usually from the so-called Localization Illuminati, the biggest industry players.
Maybe you’ve heard this: big investments in AI are the only way to survive, and if you don’t have the scale or the capital, well, you’ll eventually be extinct.
Funny how that message goes. It’s the same %^@! they’ve been telling translators for years, too.
Makes me sick.
But let’s pause for a second… Who does that narrative serve? Is it really the only way forward?
I believe there’s a totally different path available to us, if we seize it.
Small LSPs and freelance translators actually have far more in common than not. Both of us feel the pressure of falling rates, increasing competition from “almost-free” AI-generated translations, and end clients who are often advised to compromise on quality.
But here’s the truth: AI is a democratizing force, not just an industry plaything for the biggest companies.
We don’t have to imitate the large LSPs and chase their race to the bottom with automation and speed over quality. Instead, by working together, we can use the same generative AI that’s transforming the industry to create a new value proposition—delivering world-class quality, speed, and customization to clients who care about the end product.
Small LSPs have agility, client focus, and deep knowledge of their markets.
Translators bring linguistic and subject-matter expertise. Combined with smart, targeted use of AI (instead of generic automation), we can unlock a segment of the market that still values craftsmanship and partnership.
None of this is automatic.
It takes choosing the right AI-powered tools. It requires adopting new workflows rooted in solid translation know-how, where technology works for us, not the other way around. Most importantly, it takes honest collaboration and clear communication between LSPs and translators.
That’s a partnership that’s not even on the radar of the Localization Illuminati.
Some of you may remember that early last year, I was running webinars with small LSPs about how we could work with AI in smarter ways. I put a lot into those sessions. Did about a dozen in all.
But I’ll be honest, things didn’t really click the way I hoped.
Maybe the timing wasn’t right. Maybe the industry needed space to digest all the changes happening. Or maybe I didn’t have my messaging right.
Either way, I’ve never stopped believing in the opportunity we have if small LSPs and translators come together on this.
I want to try again to find that common ground. I’ve got a few things to share—practical ideas, new methods, and examples of what’s working. And I’ll be following up soon with more on these topics.
In the meantime, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Do you believe translators and small LSPs can carve out a new high-quality, high-value segment together, even as the AI wave changes the industry? Do you see, as I do, that we have more in common with each other than either of us does with the industry giants?
If you’re interested in this conversation, just reply and share your perspective. I genuinely want to hear what you think.
More soon… And here’s to actually building something better, this time together.