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Localization Today
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By Ewandro Magalhães
Prompted by his own experience of co-authoring an article with AI, the author explores a “fourth type of translation” — that between human and machine. He considers the protocols for AI collaboration: At what point does assistance cross into ghostwriting? When does augmentation become abdication?
Amir Kamran and Amir Soleimani from Taus unpack Quality Estimation (QE) as the missing link between machine translation at scale and human-quality outcomes. They frame QE as an automated “second opinion” that flags what can ship, what needs a quick AI touch-up, and what should go to a linguist—shifting human effort to the tricky, high-risk bits.
In this conversation, we explore where this matters most (high-volume content, real-time chat, regulated use cases), how QE reshapes workflows after MT, and why language access still demands human oversight in sensitive domains. They close with what’s next: lighter, task-focused models, more agent-style automation, and a broader definition of quality that favors fitness-for-purpose over perfection.
Are you looking to integrate business success with positive social and environmental impact? Laura Gori urges language service providers to consider the Benefit Corporation model, a framework that helped her business, Way2Global, reach its sustainability goals without sacrificing growth.
By Adriel Maroni
How can language professionals help improve healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals? Adriel Maroni argues that using gender-neutral terminology, allowing for self-identification, and exercising open-mindedness goes a long way towards fostering inclusive and culturally competent care.
By Ewandro Magalhães
“Influence” is broader than metrics, encompassing natural forces, intellectual authority, and procedural changes. The author traces the word’s meaning from its Latin origin (influentia, a flowing in) and cosmological roots to its modern, monetized definition as “influencer.”
The rise of AI interpreting solutions presents a massive opportunity for global language access, but it also introduces unprecedented risks. In this episode, we are joined by experts from the SAFE AI Task Force and COSET (Coalition for Sign Language Equity in Technology) to break down their newly launched AI Interpreting Solutions Evaluation Toolkit.
This conversation moves past the hype to offer a practical framework for responsible AI adoption. Our panel discusses how to assess organizational readiness, spot critical gaps in vendor demos, and ensure compliance for both spoken and signed languages.
An ASL version is also available on YouTube.
We welcome Belén Agulló and Marina Pantcheva to discuss the origin and core mission of the AI Localization Think Tank. Born out of a need for independent, agenda-free discussions, this volunteer-led group aims to break down information silos between freelancers, suppliers, and buyers.
Belen and Marina also break down what to expect at the first-ever AI ThoughtCon taking place from March 30 through April 1.
The demand for real-time language access is surging globally, but how can technology bridge the gap? Claudio Fantinuoli, creator of Interpret Bank and former CTO at KUDO, breaks down the intersection of AI and human expertise in the interpreting booth.
In this episode, explore and learn how professionals use CAI tools to enhance their performance, the moral value of expanding language access, and why ignoring the rise of machine interpretation is the biggest risk of all.
Interview by Mimi Moore
Having immigrated from Iran to Austria, learned multiple foreign languages, and developed diverse skills from translation to AI, Fatemeh-Shirin Asgari knows the value of perseverance and adaptability. She now leads digital language initiatives for Austria’s national railway system. In this interview, she shares the story of her unconventional career path and her greatest lessons learned along the way.
By Olga Beregovaya and Alex Yanishevsky
While AI translation tools can generate hallucinations, the good news is that there are many practical ways to detect and mitigate them. This article delves into the reasons behind the problem and the techniques that can be used to address it.
Why modern language models perpetuate bias and what to do about it
By Anika Schaefer
This article explores the linguistic theories that laid the foundation for natural language processing, confronts the ethical risks of allowing machines to speak on our behalf, and presents a new vision for socially responsible AI language models.
Interview by Renato Beninatto
For Kathy Mok, head of internationalization and localization at OpenAI, the present challenge centers on not only what AI technology can accomplish, but also how humans will shepherd it into a tool that enables genuine communication and trust-building.
By Gabriela Kouahla
The author explains why current machine translation post-editing (MTPE) workflows cause mental exhaustion and emotional detachment. She proposes practical steps towards making MTPE more meaningful and sustainable to the benefit of all stakeholders.
By Nuha Alhejji
This article describes why Saudi Arabia approaches artificial intelligence (AI) in translation as a question of design, focusing less on speed and more on accountability. The author explains the need to prioritize human judgment as the country develops its AI-enabled translation systems.
By Hani Alotaibi
In Saudi Arabia, translation and interpreting education is being reshaped by workforce policy, with curriculum reform and graduate employability increasingly treated as measurable institutional obligations. This article delves into how some of the country’s universities are tackling this transformation.
By Hani Alotaibi
Language access in Saudi Arabia has evolved through a sequence of policy interventions that have positioned language as a functional pillar of broader institutional transformation. By integrating language access into governance structures and public service design, these policies aim to better serve non-Arabic speakers and to provide employment opportunities for Saudi nationals.
By Abdulrahman Alsayed
Founded in 2019, the Saudi Arabia Translation Association (SATA) serves as a hub for the nation’s linguists, linking professional practice to the wider cultural landscape. Through educational resources and outreach activities, the organization aims to empower translators to be active agents in the production of meaning.
By Abdulrahman Alsayed
In Saudi Arabia, translation has moved from an auxiliary service to a defining element of a broad national transformation, reflecting a change in how culture and knowledge are understood in the Kingdom. This article outlines the Saudi translation sector’s new structure and its role in strengthening the country’s presence on the global stage.
Saudi Arabia and the localization of gaming and esports
By Amer Qobti
Fueled largely by its young population and the multibillion-dollar National Gaming and Esports Strategy, Saudi Arabia is rapidly becoming a global gaming and esports hub. The author details the essential role that localization plays in driving this growth.
What began as a search for peers in a male-dominated field has grown into a global powerhouse of over 18,000 members. In this episode, Anna N Schlegel, co-founder of Women in Localization and author of Truly Global, joins us to explore how leadership, community, and visibility have fundamentally transformed the language industry over the last 19 years.
The conversation digs deep into the future of the profession, specifically the urgent need for women to move beyond support roles and lead in R&D and product development. She discusses the new "We Shape AI" initiative, addressing critical gender and cultural biases in Large Language Models (LLMs).























