Like digging ‘your own professional grave’: The translators grappling with losing work to AI

Timothy McKeon, a rare Irish-language translator, has seen his income plummet by nearly 70% as artificial intelligence tools revolutionize the translation landscape. Once a steady source of work for the European Union, the demand for human translators has sharply declined due to advancements in AI technology that can translate text and speech almost instantaneously. McKeon now finds himself faced with the dilemma of accepting jobs that involve refining machine-generated translations. He refuses these opportunities on principle, believing that such work only serves to enhance the software that threatens his career. "The more it learns, the more obsolete you become," he explained. "You’re essentially expected to dig your own professional grave." The impact of AI on translation is no longer a distant concern; it has become a pressing issue for many in the industry. A recent survey from the United Kingdom’s Society of Authors highlighted that over a third of translators reported losing work due to generative AI. Furthermore, 43% noted a decline in their earnings because of this technological shift. Research indicates that regions in the U.S. where Google Translate is frequently used have experienced slower growth in translator job numbers, suggesting a direct correlation between AI usage and job availability. Experts like Carl Frey from Oxford University estimate that approximately 28,000 translator positions could have been created without the influence of machine translation. This trend of displacement is echoed by many in the field, as translators worldwide, including members of the Guerrilla Media Collective, are compelled to seek additional income sources due to the encroaching AI technologies. Christina Green, president of Green Linguistics and a court interpreter, expresses concern about potential legislation that would permit courts to employ AI for translation in legal proceedings. Such a move could jeopardize her job and those of many others. "The entire U.S. is looking at Wisconsin as a precedent," Green remarked, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat the bill. Fardous Bahbouh, an Arabic-language translator, shares her experiences of dwindling work opportunities, attributing this decline to both technological advancements and financial constraints within media outlets. Bahbouh’s research for her PhD indicates that the translation industry is facing significant challenges, with governments needing to take steps to support professionals transitioning to different roles. As the translation profession faces an uncertain future, many are contemplating retraining or leaving the field altogether. With the number of translators at the International Monetary Fund shrinking from 200 to just 50 due to increased reliance on technology, the need for stronger labor protections has become critical. Despite the proliferation of AI tools, experts assert that human translators will remain essential in high-stakes contexts such as diplomacy and law, where the intricacies of language cannot yet be fully replicated by machines. Ian Giles, chair of the Translators Association, emphasizes that AI cannot replace the nuanced understanding required for effective communication. In a landscape where machine translation is becoming ubiquitous, the fundamental human connection in communication remains irreplaceable, underscoring the enduring value of skilled translators in an evolving technological world.