AI Language Translation Services for Executives: Friend or Foe?

On paper, AI language translation services (or AI language translation solutions) for executives and trending programs like ChatGPT have the potential to revolutionize the way executives run their businesses—but is the technology behind these language-based systems good enough to go head-to-head with expert, human language service providers? Probably not.

Language Translation Services for Executives

By automating repetitive tasks, providing insights and predictions, and assisting with decision-making, AI has helped executives to improve their efficiency and effectiveness for years with software and processes, such as:

  • Sales Forecasting
  • Data Analysis
  • Automated Product Recommendation Systems
  • Competitive Intelligence
  • Decreased Labor Costs
  • Data Entry
  • Optimized Logistics
  • Price Optimization
  • Bookkeeping/Expense Tracking
  • Employee Onboarding Systems
  • Spam Filters
  • Lead Scoring
  • Supply Chain Management

Outside of the corporate world, the term artificial intelligence (AI) has been thrown around for decades as a bit of a novelty concept in pop culture. From robots taking over the world to providing humans with super-human abilities, it isn’t a foreign concept, but it is an exaggerated one. Simply put, AI refers to computer systems that are designed and programmed by people to carry out functions that simulate human intelligence. This is a technical and complex process for those on the backend of the development; however, user-friendly interfaces allow many tasks to be completed seamlessly to the point that we often forget what goes into all the intricate technologies we have come to rely on.

Machine learning capabilities in today’s tech-savvy world have mastered tasks like lead scoring, data analysis, and sales forecasting and they can save c-suite executives and their teams hours of work each day. Despite this, more focus is being placed AI language translation technologies, but this is where most corporations agree that the industry hasn’t caught up with the capabilities of real, certified language translators. So, while you may come to rely on AI for many general tasks, remain cautious about leaning too heavily on technology for language services like business document translations.

Risks of AI-Language Translation Services for Corporations

AI Language Translation Solutions are riddled with mistakes and are best reserved for personal use rather than business due to the risk of:

  • Word Choice Errors or Omissions
  • Grammatical Errors
  • Failure to Localize Content for the Market
  • Offensive or Culturally Insensitive Translations
  • Lack of Industry Specific Knowledge
  • Not Able to Determine the Intent of a Document
  • Information Often “Lost in Translation”
  • Data Security Concerns
  • Nonsensical Results
  • Glitches in Software

The Difference Between AI Language Translation Services for Executives vs Personal Use

For an average person in need of a translator to translate common languages like Spanish to English or English to Chinese languages, the capabilities of Google Translate and other software are “good enough”. The individual wishing to translate an old family letter can enter the information into the translation box and receive a general idea of what the content relays from one language to the next. It is a free translation, and they are typically satisfied with the results. Afterward, they move on and may never need an AI language translation service again. However, AI language translation technologies are not reliable enough to produce official results for personal documents like immigration paperwork, birth certificates, or legal document translations. This is because much of the content is industry-specific and AI technologies simply haven’t caught up with the complexity of technical jargon. AI translation technologies simply cannot understand, consider and then translate the intent of the author in the original documents. This provides a critical difference in the end results.

For many of the same reasons, c-suite executives and global corporations; relying on AI platforms or tools like Google Translate is risky business. Language translation services for corporations is a vastly different concept than translating family memories. This is because business document translations typically contain sensitive information about employment, business agreements, contracts, acquisitions, mergers, or other legal matters. Additionally, much of the content is industry-specific and AI technologies simply haven’t caught up with the complexity of technical jargon. This is particularly concerning when it comes to legal language translation services because there are rarely direct translations from one language to the next and this is what AI language translation services rely on.

Here in the United States, along with in other countries, legal terminology plays a crucial role in the outcome of court case verdicts and settlements. If you translate a contract that includes the wrong word choice, it could cost your corporation millions due to a minor omission or error. Those who make the ruling will likely see this oversight as negligent and unprofessional and will lack sympathy on behalf of the corporation that failed to check the accuracy of the corporate legal document translation.

Human Language Translation Services Generate Better Results

In the corporate world, everything comes down to the bottom line. Many corporations that turn to Google Translation and AI-based technologies do so because they are less expensive, and they believe that they will see a higher ROI at the end of the day. As the adage goes, “you get what you pay for” and this rings true with language translation services. While AI-generated translations may be free or low-cost and save money initially, it is important to consider the long-term effects of this decision. When you opt to go this route, you must also take errors and the implications of these errors into consideration. A free business document translation may actually cost you your reputation, legal fees, legal settlement costs, the success of market expansions, valuable employees and the list goes on.

Other AI Corporate Language Services

Although language translation services for executives are best reserved for expert human translators, there is one AI corporate language service that has revolutionized the world of customer service. Despite the still flawed technology behind artificial intelligence and language translation services, chatbots have been implemented in corporations of all sizes with immensely successful results. From decreasing the need to distract human customer support agents with repetitive, simple needs to offering after-hours support, chatbots have proved to be worthy investments. In developing the content for training the chatbot, it is often necessary to offer the option of multiple languages to customers. To enable your chatbot to do this effectively, consulting a human language translation service is a great option to ensure inclusivity without risking culturally inappropriate or nonsensical translations during use.

Our Final Verdict

AI technology has its place in an executive’s tool bag; however, it can be your best friend or your biggest foe.  When it comes to repetitive tasks like data entry/analysis, sales forecasting, or bookkeeping; AI is at its best and provides immense value. Despite this, AI technology simply isn’t advanced enough to understand complex matters like document intent, localization, or other cultural nuances that are critical for thorough, accurate language translations. In the event that you do incorporate AI language services, like chatbots, into your organization, your content will still require a human touch in the form of an expert translator to ensure cultural sensitivity, inclusivity, and accessibility for all clients.

Learn More About ASTA-USA’s Language Translation Services and Expertise

Want to invest in the power of real, certified human translators for your corporate needs? Reach out today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your specific needs with a professional language services provider.