Artificial intelligence software has found its way to every aspect of our lives—from gaming at casinos with a $10 deposit and the digital content we consume daily to how we optimize our workflows and generate work. It has even helped people better understand one another across language barriers, thanks to AI-based translators.
AI translation tools can translate written words, phrases, and entire documents in a matter of seconds. It can even translate spoken words and phrases into another language in real time. Essentially, AI streamlines the translation of written and spoken words, something that once involved multiple resources, plenty of time, and someone fluent in the languages.
Thanks to translation tools like Google Translate, QuillBot, and DeepL, you can get a fairly reliable translation with a few taps on a screen or keyboard. As these tools have become more robust and reliable, and if they continue to improve even further, AI has the potential to revolutionize translation and its related benefits in myriad ways, including those noted below, for individuals as well as private and public organizations.
Efficiency
The speed at which AI can translate text surpasses how quickly a translator can do the task manually—by a landslide. This can add up to exceptional time and cost savings for businesses and organizations, allowing them to use these resources elsewhere. For organizations that need to deliver information in multiple languages, rather than dedicating a great deal of time to shaping messaging in each language, it only needs to be written or presented in one.
If a business is planning on taking its work global, whether through business dealings that require documents and contracts or marketing to new audiences, concerns about the time required for translation will take is no longer a major constraint.
Accuracy
As AI evolves, it’s becoming more accurate in translating the nuances of languages. It offers the possibility to accurately translate the meaning and intent behind written or spoken content into another language or multiple languages. This means there will be more understanding across languages because more than just words or phrases will be taken into consideration; the broader picture of the written or spoken content will be understood.
More Accessible Information
Accurate translations will make information more accessible to everyone, whether they’re a student in school using resources that aren’t in their native language or a small business wanting to reach new audiences.
Dismantling Language Barriers
With accurate translations, the ability to cross language barriers is possible. Where misunderstandings or poor communication currently exist, the vast array and capabilities of AI translation tools will help minimize them. In organizations or businesses, this breakdown of language barriers can help push innovation and collaboration without efforts being held back by misunderstandings.
This possibility is particularly important when someone’s health may be on the line, for example, in hospital settings where doctors and nurses work with patients who speak different languages. AI translators can provide a tool that allows everyone to understand one another for better treatment and patient outcomes.
What Challenges Is AI Translation Facing?
While AI translation has a great deal of potential, it is not without challenges. Today, several obstacles stand out, including how AI falls short when considering colloquialisms and cultural sensitivities, as well as concerns around inaccuracies, misunderstandings, and costs of the tool.
AI translation, like many other emerging AI tools, also faces concerns around potential biases and ethical issues. Below, we’ll look at these important considerations and challenges more closely.
Colloquialisms & Cultural Sensitivities
When it comes to languages, context, informal phrases, popular references, and cultural norms are integral to accurate understanding. While AI has come a long way in its ability to identify these and effectively relay their meaning, it still falls short in this area.
There’s also concern surrounding the simplification and erosion of language and culture, with the desire to bring translation across cultures motivated by speed and efficiency rather than deep understanding.
Inaccuracies & Misunderstandings
While AI is making headway on the quality of its translations, it’s still not completely accurate. This leads to inaccuracies that have the potential to cause miscommunications, which can have far-reaching consequences. Right now, AI translators can help build a bridge across the language divide but still require a human translator to cross it.
Costs
AI translator tools themselves are relatively affordable, but because they are not entirely accurate, translations created may still need a human translator to step in and assess the translation produced. This means that the translation process, particularly for organizations, still requires additional time and expenses.
Potential Biases
AI has earned a reputation for being subject to human bias and perpetuating harmful stereotypes and biases. With language, this is a major concern as the relationship between language and culture is so intricately connected that even small biases can become massively harmful if left unchecked.
Ethical Concerns
The ethics surrounding the privacy and security of translation tools are also a prominent topic of discussion. Addressing this concern involves placing trust in organizations and regulatory bodies to ensure AI tools adhere to the best practices of protecting people’s data.
Conclusion
AI translation has a huge potential to revolutionize translation needs, from casual daily use to supporting businesses diving into new markets worldwide to assisting organizations in delivering messages in every language needed. AI translation still has challenges to overcome and concerns to be mindful of as it progresses, but if approached appropriately by AI developers and regulatory bodies, it could offer a world of good.
