Such an amazing interview! Whenever I tell people that I will major in translation I often get advised to reconsider since I am always warned about future AI translation technology and I don't always know how to reply, but it is quite reassuring to know that human creativity is always needed no matter how advanced the tools get. Though, if creativity is the major factor here, wouldn't something like novel translation (I'm not sure if novel translation falls under a broader title) be a safer option than other more technical domains? I say this because novels often involve more creativity and depend a lot on the style of the writer/translator while technical writings don't require a style or any creative input since you are just translating information. Even something as delicate as medical translation doesn't seem as safe since mistakes made by AI will probably diminish by time. I would like your opinion on this, and thanks again for these videos as they have provided much help for me!
Thanks for your reply. Absolutely, literary translation is a great way to future proof your career. The issue is that it's very hard to get into it. But if you have a passion for it, it's definitely worth a shot. I have a Specialized video on it, maybe check that out.
Yep. There is this issue of responsibility. If you are building a factory or a nuclear power plant in Germany using US equipment would you trust manuals and drawings translated by AI? Are you sure it would not explode due to an error in installation, operation and maintenance manuals? Or medical equipment and treatment procedures, when patient's life is at stake. That's why people would still be needed. At lease for editing. We've already seen cases when AI crushed cars with casulties. Who's responsible? Did they put car AI to jail?
"Oh yes, I really enjoy getting paid half for doing work that's intellectually a LOT less rewarding. Thank you, thank you, THANK you AI!!" /s. I don't think you guys really understand how angry a lot of freelancers are. All those AI Silicon Valley wannabees are seriously degrading (financially and intellectually) our work, and than they are surprised we're not as excited as they are about AI. NONE of it benefits the translator, not cost-efficiency, not speed (hard to believe but most of the times it takes MORE work), no quality improvement. It only benefits the agency that wants more dollars (understandable) but delivers a lower quality product (YES they do, in 99% of cases) for the end client. AI in translation = we have a guy who can build a BMW, but we'll give him Skoda parts and he should make it look like a BMW, oh, and for half the price ... what could possibly go wrong?
Thanks so much to Florian for coming on the channel. Make sure to reach out to him and follow all of Slator's content - very useful.
Such an amazing interview! Whenever I tell people that I will major in translation I often get advised to reconsider since I am always warned about future AI translation technology and I don't always know how to reply, but it is quite reassuring to know that human creativity is always needed no matter how advanced the tools get. Though, if creativity is the major factor here, wouldn't something like novel translation (I'm not sure if novel translation falls under a broader title) be a safer option than other more technical domains? I say this because novels often involve more creativity and depend a lot on the style of the writer/translator while technical writings don't require a style or any creative input since you are just translating information. Even something as delicate as medical translation doesn't seem as safe since mistakes made by AI will probably diminish by time. I would like your opinion on this, and thanks again for these videos as they have provided much help for me!
Thanks for your reply. Absolutely, literary translation is a great way to future proof your career. The issue is that it's very hard to get into it. But if you have a passion for it, it's definitely worth a shot. I have a Specialized video on it, maybe check that out.
Yep. There is this issue of responsibility. If you are building a factory or a nuclear power plant in Germany using US equipment would you trust manuals and drawings translated by AI? Are you sure it would not explode due to an error in installation, operation and maintenance manuals? Or medical equipment and treatment procedures, when patient's life is at stake. That's why people would still be needed. At lease for editing. We've already seen cases when AI crushed cars with casulties. Who's responsible? Did they put car AI to jail?
"Oh yes, I really enjoy getting paid half for doing work that's intellectually a LOT less rewarding. Thank you, thank you, THANK you AI!!" /s. I don't think you guys really understand how angry a lot of freelancers are. All those AI Silicon Valley wannabees are seriously degrading (financially and intellectually) our work, and than they are surprised we're not as excited as they are about AI. NONE of it benefits the translator, not cost-efficiency, not speed (hard to believe but most of the times it takes MORE work), no quality improvement. It only benefits the agency that wants more dollars (understandable) but delivers a lower quality product (YES they do, in 99% of cases) for the end client. AI in translation = we have a guy who can build a BMW, but we'll give him Skoda parts and he should make it look like a BMW, oh, and for half the price ... what could possibly go wrong?
Move over to another job, ASAP.