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Are you feeling pressured to use generative AI translation services or AI localization processes in your business? Or, are you wondering if it’s even worth the initial investment in new workflows or AI solutions? What about AI risks and responsible AI usage? Get the answers to your top questions about generative AI language services.
How Does AI Translation Work?
When done by trusted generative AI language providers like Lionbridge, AI translation is a customized workflow incorporating AI technology into the process. AI translation can occur in a solution that often includes Machine Translation (MT). These are the general steps that AI-powered language services providers may follow:
The AI service provider gathers content for translation and any helpful references. Context could include a translation style guide or terminology glossary, as well as other materials showcasing brand voice.
The humans in the loop (experts in the subject matter, vertical, and/or language) ensure the reference information about the content and expected outcome is updated and accessible in the AI-augmented workflows.
The MT system will translate the content and ensure the glossary is strictly adhered to.
The Large Language Model (LLM) analyzes the output. (It can also perform additional steps, such as changing the output tone to more informal.) The humans in the loop (HITL) can improve outcomes by customizing prompts for the LLM so it can review the content optimally. Notably, a human reviewer may be added in at any point to check that everything is on track and done according to agreed-upon specifications.
The customer may provide feedback on the final product. This customer feedback can help make future AI translation processes even more efficient, accurate, and cost-efficient.
Is AI-Powered Translation Worth the Initial Cost of Changing Workflows or Vendors?
Some companies may be reluctant to switch to AI-enhanced translation and AI-enhanced localization because they’ve already invested a lot of time and labor into Machine Translation-only or human-oriented processes. In many cases where AI is incorporated, there will be no change in cost for higher quality and higher volumes of translated content. For example, Lionbridge customers typically use some combination of Machine Translation and AI. They may also move to solutions using our AI-augmented localization platform with the right humans in the loop.
Some companies want to invest in licensing their own AI platform. (Lionbridge can also assist with AI training for these customers.) This method is initially more costly and requires advanced AI prompting expertise. Later, if a scalable solution can be built, it will enable brands to do their own translation or content generation at only the cost of internal labor and system costs.
Whichever track, a company will immediately reap benefits from choosing AI-enhanced translation for its content — and then for years and decades after. Incorporating LLMs into your translation process will improve content quality and scalability at lower costs. Over time, AI-powered solutions can be customized to meet a company’s goals, carry its brand voice, review for terminology glossary compliance — even create new multilingual content. It’s also worth noting that AI-augmented translation, whether done by a vendor or an internal AI platform, can dramatically reduce turnaround time and ensure content is consistently translated, meets brand standards, or fits into new formats or tones. Perhaps most notably, AI translation solutions can ensure scalability at a lower cost. AI can review high volumes of translated content with reduced human labor, thus cutting costs.
The initial cost of gathering data for AI translation workflows via a vendor, or training your own AI, will pay off exponentially. The better question may be: What is the cost of NOT using AI-enhanced translation now? Will your company still be competitive across markets without it?
Is AI Translation Reliable for Business Purposes? How Accurate Is It?
AI translation is reliable for business purposes (especially when performed by an experienced partner like Lionbridge). Global industry giants already use AI translation and AI localization for their marketing materials, drug and medical device development materials, internal communications/documents, and more.
AI translation can be trustworthy when conducted to build AI trust. Lionbridge has its own TRUST framework, which helps us methodically check AI input and output throughout the process. AI trust is about AI, but the humans in the loop for an AI translation process are almost equally crucial. We also offer additional AI editing for AI-generated content, which provides an extra layer of security in translating and generating multilingual output.
What are the Risks of AI Translation?
AI translation comes with a few risks, which can be mitigated by solid AI training (for an internal AI system) or the right AI-powered language services provider. These are the main risks:
Accuracy: Like humans, AI systems can make translation errors, whether linguistically or in technical terminology. (AI’s mistakes are often called “hallucinations.”) Notably, some LLMs are not prepared to translate every language pair. Or, they may not be updated on important industry terminology in every language. With the right context, review, and AI training, it’s possible to prevent or fix these errors. Lionbridge rigorously trains our AI systems and performs ample data collection to ensure every translation meets customers’ goals. We also have deep networks of experts across every vertical and language who can help review AI output if needed.
Biased or Non-inclusive Content: Again, like humans, AI can create biased, hateful, or culturally insensitive content. This concern is easily remedied and prevented with comprehensive AI training and review. Lionbridge can help customers train their AI systems to create culturally sensitive and unbiased output. We also train our own LLMs to prevent offensive output. Additionally, our LLMs can review customer content to find and fix bias or intolerance. We frequently provide this service for our Lionbridge games customers.
Security: Without a highly secure, private LLM, companies may have their data or content stolen. They may also inadvertently expose customer data or their own systems to cyber threats. All of these risks come with substantial legal and ethical problems. Using a provider or your own internal secure, private LLM is crucial for AI translation. Lionbridge emphasizes security and privacy for any customer content or data we handle.
How Can Companies Use AI Translation?
AI engines can assist with various tasks if your company pursues an AI translation solution. Here are some examples:
Multilingual content generation: AI-powered translation can create new multilingual marketing, social media, regulatory, or other content based on original material. AI can also make this content feel new by changing the tone, intended audience, brevity or length, and more. Lionbridge uses our Content Remix tool for these kinds of tasks. This choice will save companies dramatically and help them reach new markets with smaller budgets.
Multimedia content translation: AI-enhanced translation can assist with content such as videos, websites, slideshows, etc. Consider using AI translation for complex content that may require translation of various elements, creating subtitles or voiceovers, etc. Automated transcription, AI translation, and AI voiceover of this content can be more efficient and cost-efficient than human or machine translation alone.
Technical documentation: AI systems can be trained to handle deeply technical documentation, like user manuals, clinical research, regulatory reporting, and more. Lionbridge is helping customers across various verticals by pairing generative AI and Life Sciences language services, AI solutions and financial reporting, AI solutions and financial reporting, AI and industrial manufacturing, and more. Since AI-augmented localization and translation are faster, this option may help companies meet tight regulatory deadlines or reach new markets faster.
Customer support: Providing culturally aware, multilingual support to customers globally is critical for some companies. AI translation can help via translating content or embedding LLMs into a customer support system for real-time multilingual assistance.
Get in touch
Exploring AI translation and localization may be intimidating, but it has the power to maximize operations and help companies meet their business goals. Still have questions about getting the most benefit out of an LLM? Or how to get customized AI solutions for your projects? Let’s get in touch.
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We’re eager to understand your needs and share how our innovative capabilities can empower you to break barriers and expand your global reach. Ready to explore the possibilities? We can’t wait to help.
