AI & Translation – Looking Beyond the Hype
In today’s interconnected world, the ability to communicate across linguistic barriers is more crucial than ever. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool in addressing these challenges, revolutionising many facets of the translation sector.
But is the hype to be believed?
In this piece, Mary Gilbey, Managing Director of Anglia Translations Ltd, explores the various facets of AI in translation, from its capabilities and applications to its limitations and ethical considerations.
Mary, who has many years of experience in the translation industry, began her linguistic career almost three decades ago and is in a unique position to analyse just how AI is beginning to impact the industry.
Understanding AI in Translation
At its core, AI in translation involves using machine learning algorithms to interpret and translate text or speech from one language to another. This technology relies on natural language processing (NLP) systems to comprehend the meaning of content and produce coherent translations.
“While AI has made significant strides in accuracy and efficiency, it cannot entirely replace human translators,” says Mary.
“Human expertise is indispensable for capturing nuances, cultural context, and ensuring accurate communication.”
Applications of AI in Translation
“Machine translation is not new in our industry. We have been working with Neural Machine Translation (NMT) for many years and machine translation plug-ins have become an integral part of Translation Memory tools.”
“AI-powered translation tools are widespread in today’s digital landscape,” says Mary.
They range from everyday tech, such as language learning apps, foreign language subtitles and web browser tools to sophisticated language systems (Large Language Models or LLMs) used in professional settings, such as Translation Memory software.
These tools facilitate real-time translations, enhance global communication, aid in cultural understanding, and support various sectors such as tourism, international business, and healthcare.
Real-World Impact of AI in Translation

“The impact of AI in translation extends beyond convenience; it plays a pivotal role in global communication, cultural exchange, and accessibility to critical information,” explains Mary.
“For instance, AI facilitates the translation of multimedia content, simplifies document translation, and enhances accessibility through subtitles and live event translations.”
Moreover, AI has enabled significant advancements in sectors like medical services, where accurate communication can literally be a matter of life and death.
Limitations of AI in Translation
“While AI excels in many areas, there are inherent limitations that must be acknowledged.”
“AI struggles with nuance, creative content, and highly specialised fields where context and cultural sensitivity are paramount,” says Mary.
“Building a brand is all about storytelling and emotional connection to your audience, which is very difficult to achieve with machine translation or AI.”
“Languages with complex grammar structures and dialects, such as Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic, or those with limited data availability, pose significant challenges for AI translation, often leading to inaccuracies and misunderstandings.”
And perhaps most importantly, we must be aware of hallucinations – AI is not always accurate. The big risk is that we assume output is beyond doubt, and it is often taken as a given to be completely factually accurate.
Ethical Considerations
“The use of AI in translation raises ethical concerns, particularly regarding bias and cultural sensitivity,” Mary says.
“AI models trained primarily on data from certain languages or cultures have been known to produce biased or stereotypical translations.”
“We now know full well, that automated translations can inadvertently distort meanings or fail to capture cultural nuances, potentially causing offence or misinformation.”
Best Practices for AI-Assisted Translation
The translation industry does have a vast amount of data that will make a difference to AI translations and how it can be used in our processes. We are just not at that point yet.
To harness the benefits of AI while mitigating risks, it is essential to integrate human expertise into the translation process. Human translators provide relevant insights, ensuring accuracy, cultural appropriateness, and effective communication.
At Anglia Translations Ltd we have always emphasised a collaborative combination of technology and human translators to deliver high-quality translations tailored to specific needs. Machine translation is not necessarily fit for purpose for all translations.
It is definitely not appropriate for creative marketing content that is being used to build your brand and help you better connect with your international audience. Ensuring cultural relevance in translation requires a human touch.
Looking Ahead

As AI technology continues to evolve, its role in translation will undoubtedly expand. There’s no doubt that future advancements will address the current limitations, improve accuracy, and enhance cultural sensitivity.
However, human involvement will remain indispensable in ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of any translated content, since AI can not truly replicate the human experience.
Conclusion
“AI is transforming the landscape of translation, offering unprecedented opportunities for global communication and accessibility,” says Mary.
“While AI tools facilitate efficiency and convenience, they must be used wisely, with total awareness of their limitations and ethical implications.”
Mary continues, “By leveraging AI alongside human expertise, we can bridge linguistic divides and accelerate overseas business growth effectively while preserving the integrity and richness of diverse languages and cultures.”
“AI in translation represents a dynamic intersection of technology and human ingenuity, shaping how we connect and communicate in our increasingly interconnected world, so long as this is used responsibly and in the right scenarios.”
If you’re interested in learning more about AI in translation or exploring our translation services, which we offer in over 50 different languages, feel free to get in touch to find out more.
We’re committed to delivering accurate, culturally sensitive translations that meet the highest standards of quality and reliability.