Årtificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized many industries, and language translation is no exception. With AI tools such as ChatGPT, DeepL, and Google Tränslate, it has become easier than ever to translate texts quickly and cost-effectively. But how can your company use AI safely and effectively? Here are some important factors to keep in mind.
1. Data security and confidentiality
If you don’t pay for the product, you pay with your data. Many AI tools collect and analyze the texts that are fed into them to improve their models. This means that your text may be stored and reused. If you work in a professional context and handle confidential information, you should therefore always use paid versions of AI tools and carefully review their privacy policies. In addition, you should avoid uploading material that is subject to regulations.
2. File format and layout
If your text is just plain text, like a simple Word document, you can easily copy and paste it into AI tools for quick translation. But if the text is part of a more complex layout, like a PowerPoint presentation or an InDesign file, it can be time-consuming to recreate the layout after AI translation. That’s why it’s important to choose a tool that can handle the file format you’re working with, so you don’t have to do any extra work.
3. Language combinations and quality
AI tools have been trained on enormous amounts of text data, but the majority of this data is in English. This means that AI tools generally work better when English is one of the languages in the translation. For example, an AI can translate from Swedish to English with relatively high accuracy, but a translation between Swedish and Norwegian can be surprisingly unidiomatic despite the similarities between the languages.
4. Control and quality review
AI tools do not make “conscious” mistakes, but they do make probability-based errors. This means that they can generate varying translations for the same text at different times and that they sometimes create misleading or imprecise formulations. AI models also have difficulty following style guides and glossaries, which can lead to inconsistent translations.<17>
To ensure quality, you should always set aside time to check the AI translation. If it is an important text for external recipients, it may be worth hiring a professional language expert for post-editing.
5. Will you do it yourself or get help?
AI tools are an effective aid in translation work, but they are not always the best solution. Here are three questions to consider when deciding whether AI translation is right for your business:
- Do we have access to a paid AI tool that supports our file format?
- Is English one of the languages in the translation?
- Do we have the resources to check and adjust the AI translation?
If the answer is “yes” to all three questions, AI tools can be an excellent solution. If you are unsure or answer “no” to any of the questions, it may be wise to seek the help of a professional translation agency.
We in the language industry have been using AI to support our processes for a long time and know what pitfalls to avoid. If you would like to know more about how AI can be used in your organization—and which strategies are best suited to your specific needs—please contact a project manager at Translator Scandinavia and we will be happy to help you.
