| Sidor om ämnet: < [1 2 3 4] | finding work in 2025 Trådens avsändare: edward o loughlin
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Vladimir Pochinov 
Ryska federationen
Local time: 21:01
Medlem
Engelska till Ryska
+ ...
| Real-world cases showing how AI affects the translation industry and language schools | May 5 |
The overall trend in 2025 is a growing divide: while some sectors adapt, many language professionals face layoffs or exit the industry because of AI’s rapid adoption.
- Some language schools and training centers have downsized staff or closed due to declining enrollment, as AI-powered language learning apps and translation tools replace traditional instruction. In particular, Duolingo terminated agreements with 10% of its contractor workforce in 2025, citing a pivot to AI fo... See more
The overall trend in 2025 is a growing divide: while some sectors adapt, many language professionals face layoffs or exit the industry because of AI’s rapid adoption.
- Some language schools and training centers have downsized staff or closed due to declining enrollment, as AI-powered language learning apps and translation tools replace traditional instruction. In particular, Duolingo terminated agreements with 10% of its contractor workforce in 2025, citing a pivot to AI for content translation, reducing reliance on human translators.
- Over 50% of translation jobs in language service companies now involve machine translation, leading to fewer projects and lower rates for human translators, as reported in the ELIS 2025 survey.
- 23% of freelance translators are considering leaving the industry entirely due to declining fees and reduced demand, a trend linked directly to the rise of AI-driven translation tools (ELIS 2025 survey).
- AI-driven translation solutions have cut per-word translation costs by up to 40%, prompting enterprise clients to reduce or eliminate human translation teams.
- The traditional bread-and-butter translation work is diminishing. Service providers that rely on subcontracts in long supply chains and on traditional translation services struggle to maintain their value proposition. In addition, many small and medium enterprises lack the data, understanding, and maturity to embrace human-in-the-loop localization in the much hyped AI world. This will lead to many small founder-led LSPs’ struggle in the new AI era and the sell or close of their business (2025 Nimdzi 100 report).
- Good enough is just good. Enough. The highest language quality is less and less relevant for buyers for most content types. The acceptance bar is being lowered for non-business critical multilingual communications, partly thanks to LLMs’ deceptively fluent output. However, most organizations still struggle with identifying the right content quality tiers.
- AI data services are growing – and so does the need for AI model training. Data collection, annotation, validation are offered by practically all tech-savvy LSPs, sometimes even under a specific brand name – RWS TrainAI, Welo Data, Uber Scaled Solutions, or Centific Flow, just to mention a few options.
- Demand for generic translation at premium rates has collapsed. Some LSCs now focus only on value-added or niche services, laying off staff who previously handled high-volume, low-specialization projects.
- Audiovisual translation and subtitling roles have also been affected, as AI tools automate much of the process, resulting in layoffs among subtitlers and captioners
- The rise of AI has led to layoffs in language assessment and testing centers, as automated tools now handle placement, grading, and feedback tasks once managed by staff
On the other hand, the rapid rise of generative AI and adaptive neural machine translation (NMT) technologies also creates a wave of new, hybrid roles that blend linguistic, technical, and strategic skills.
- AI Integration Specialist / Machine Learning Engineer
These professionals oversee the implementation and optimization of AI-powered translation tools, ensuring seamless integration with existing workflows and maximizing efficiency and accuracy
- AI Solution Architect
Responsible for designing and customizing AI-driven translation solutions tailored to specific organizational needs, balancing automation with human oversight for quality and compliance.
- AI Ethics Officer
As AI systems handle sensitive multilingual data, these specialists ensure ethical use, data privacy, and regulatory compliance throughout translation processes.
- Localization Consultant / Content Personalization Manager
Experts who combine linguistic and cultural knowledge with AI proficiency to fine-tune machine-generated translations, ensuring they are contextually accurate, culturally relevant, and aligned with brand voice.
- Quality Assurance Manager (AI-Enhanced)
Tasked with reviewing and refining AI-generated translations, these managers set standards, develop evaluation metrics, and oversee continuous improvement of translation quality.
- Data Analyst (Language Services)
Analyzes translation data to identify trends, optimize workflows, and inform strategic decisions, leveraging insights from AI-generated content for business growth.
- Remote Interpreting Coordinator
Manages logistics and technology for virtual interpreting services, ensuring smooth delivery in remote and hybrid environments--a trend accelerated by AI-driven real-time translation.
- Cultural Intelligence Consultant
Advises organizations on adapting content for diverse markets, using AI tools to analyze cultural nuances and enhance localization strategies.
- Healthcare/Legal Localization Specialist
With AI enabling more specialized translation, experts in fields like healthcare and law are in demand to ensure terminology and context are accurate for regulated industries.
- Client Integration Manager
Facilitates onboarding and ongoing support for clients using AI-powered translation solutions, bridging the gap between technology and customer needs
So, once again: you either adapt by acquiring new skills, or leave the profession eventually, because the traditional translation work is rapidly diminishing. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Baran Keki
Turkiet
Local time: 22:01
Medlem
Engelska till Turkiska
| What a load of cobblers | May 5 |
Mario Chávez wrote:
I disagree, however, with the mindset of pursuing a career that offers the best way of making a living. That's too utilitarian and heartless in a way. I abhor the corporate university. I went to university in the day when I could choose to study what interested me and not worrying whether I could make good money off it.
But if a translator wants to expand his/her horizons with his/her degree, there are other areas for professional fulfillment, especially if that translator doesn't want to be seen as a commodity.
Care to elaborate on that? What 'areas for professional fulfillment' might be available for a translator that's struggling to make ends meet, but also shies away from pursuing better ways of making a living for fear that it might be considered too utilitarian and heartless?
[Edited at 2025-05-05 18:31 GMT]
| | | | Dan Lucas
Storbritannien
Local time: 20:01
Medlem (2014)
Japanska till Engelska
Mario Chávez wrote:
I disagree, however, with the mindset of pursuing a career that offers the best way of making a living. That's too utilitarian and heartless in a way.
I certainly agree with you about the changes in the profession and the industry, and about the inadvisability of taking a degree in translation.
Whether one should have a mindset of pursuing (or not) a career that allows you to make a living is a subjective question, and I admit to giving a sympathetic nod to the nostalgia that tinges your post.
Nevertheless, I assume that most people want to do work that provides a living wage. Doing work you don't like may be hard, but so is not being able to buy food for yourself or clothes for your children, for example.
In many cases it may not matter. Some people simply have no dependents. I am sure that there are also many people for whom translation is a side gig, or for whom it is not the main source of income in their household. That is a fortunate situation for those involved. Well done, enjoy it!
For me the imperative has always been to support myself and my dependents. Putting one's own wants first in a situation where other people (spouse, children) rely on you is selfishness of the highest order.
Personally, it's no big deal. I know that I won't fade away like the listless heroine of some Victorian novel if I don't get to indulge some of my desires regarding work. This attitude is what drives my view that one should choose a line of study at university that will be of some practical use after you leave, particularly if you are borrowing money to do so.
More generally, if one has financial problems because of a lack of success in translation - and this brings us back to the OP - one should probably stop doing it.
Regards,
Dan
| | | | Koume
Local time: 05:01
Engelska till Japanska
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I've been translating for over 10 years. Since the COVID hit, then the economy in Australia is in depression. The number of work significantly declined. In addition to it, AI has improved its quality significantly during the last year or two.
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| Using AI in translations in 2025 | May 9 |
Hi,
Could you give some tips on how to integrate AI in translations in 2025 ? Is it ok to use AI partially to translate a customer assignement or do I need to warn the customer first that I will be using AI in some cases to help me translate?
[Edited at 2025-05-09 20:34 GMT]
| | | | Vladimir Pochinov
Ryska federationen
Local time: 21:01
Medlem
Engelska till Ryska
+ ...
| Using AI in translation work | May 10 |
Alexandre Chetrite wrote:
Could you give some tips on how to integrate AI in translations in 2025?
Trados Studio and memoQ users can install plugins, such as ChatGPT. Yes, you need to advise the client that you’re going to use AI.
However, you may use AI to research terminology without asking the client for permission. For instance, you may ask ChatGPT or similar tool “What are the most appropriate French equivalents for the terms “phishing” and “vishing”?
| | | | Vladimir Pochinov
Ryska federationen
Local time: 21:01
Medlem
Engelska till Ryska
+ ...
| 41% of companies intend to cut their workforce in the next five years | May 10 |
Forty-one percent of companies intend to cut their workforce in the next five years as many tasks are automated with AI, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2025.
At the same time, 70% of companies say they expect to hire people with knowledge of the new AI tools, reports CNN Business.
... See more Forty-one percent of companies intend to cut their workforce in the next five years as many tasks are automated with AI, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2025.
At the same time, 70% of companies say they expect to hire people with knowledge of the new AI tools, reports CNN Business.
Source: 4 in 10 companies plan to replace employees with AI, WEF says
It means that translators need to master applicable AI technologies to stay current and keep up with the times.
The AI adoption process reminds me of the heated discussions here and claims that CAT tools kill creativity and that fuzzy match schemes lose us money. Yet, my experience since 2002, when I bought Trados 6.5, shows that fuzzy matches do not prevent you from making a fair living.
Also, do you remember the initial rejection of cloud technology by many people, including translators? I do... And look what we have now: Microsoft 365 (with OneDrive), Google Workspace (with Google Drive), you name it. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Dan Lucas
Storbritannien
Local time: 20:01
Medlem (2014)
Japanska till Engelska
| Many translators seem to get by with the minimum level of technology | May 12 |
Vladimir Pochinov wrote:
Also, do you remember the initial rejection of cloud technology by many people, including translators? I do...
There was a lot of that sort of thing about wasn't there. CAT tools have been a particular bugbear, because it has been transparently obvious to me that you can make a good living using CAT tools, provided you get the right clients. You have all these translators insisting that all swans are white, but black swans do exist - and in some areas of the world they are common. You just have to go to the right place.
However, and going back a bit further, the aspect of translator, er, techno-conservatism that surprises me most (perhaps because I only saw it after the fact as I was busy working in a different industry at the time) is how many freelancers were concerned that the internet would open them up to overseas competition! Go back and read the early days of this forum to see expressions of this - you probably experienced it firsthand. Given that the driving force of our profession is the existence of other countries, it seems such a parochial view.
This is kind of related to Mario's earlier comment about working as a translator in New York a few decades ago and relying on word of mouth. I can see that that would have had its advantages and that the situation has changed enormously since, and not necessarily to the advantage of the translators who were dominant back then.
Nevertheless, my current mode of work would have been impossible in that era, because I live in an area of very low population density around 6,000 miles from my main clients. In theory I could have worked by fax thirty years ago, but it would have been logistically painful, not to say expensive, and I don't think my clients would have accepted it. So I'm happy that transformation Mario mentions has taken place.
I was also taken aback by the OP's apparent assumption that one's current flow of business is tied to the country in which one lives. Living in Austria does not limit one to dealing with clients in Austria... Maybe it is an issue with direct clients, whom I imagine would prefer to deal with somebody local? But agencies are global in approach.
Regards,
Dan
[Edited at 2025-05-12 07:03 GMT]
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Lieven Malaise
Belgien
Local time: 21:01
Medlem (2020)
Franska till Nederländska
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Dan Lucas wrote:
Given that the driving force of our profession is the existence of other countries, it seems such a parochial view.
Very true. I never cease to be amazed by the conservative points of view many translators in these forums have. In my opinion it all comes down to this: freelancers don't see themselves enough as what they are and should be: businesses. Yes, we are working alone, but we are basically no different than an accountants' office with 5 employees or a car dealership with 10 employees: if we want to survive and/or thrive we have to stay ahead of the competition, and for that we need to know what we are doing, have been doing and will be doing each and every day, it's simple as that.
Yes, the translation business is probably going through tough times, but if I see the mindset of many colleagues I can only say that I'm not in the least surprised that so many are struggling or simply quitting. If you stop being flexible and alert to evolutions in the industry (in any industry!), you are screwed. Period. Let's not forget that every single month a lot of businesses across all sorts of industries go bankrupt. The translation industry is not an exception.
| | | | | Sidor om ämnet: < [1 2 3 4] | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » finding work in 2025 | Trados Business Manager Lite |
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