What’s the Real Difference Between AI and a Professional Translator for Your Translations?
Initial Cost:
- AI appears almost free.
- Professional translator comes at a cost.
Quality:
At first glance (!), both AI and professional translators seem to deliver excellent quality—but the differences are substantial:
- AI does not correct content errors in the source text.
- AI rarely translates specific terms consistently.
- If something is unclear, AI “predicts” what it should be, but often gets it wrong. A professional translator asks questions.
- AI hallucinates; a professional translator does not.
Technical Capabilities:
- AI delivers plain text or, at best, a Word or PDF document.
- A technical translator can handle much more, such as providing translations in InDesign, without extra cost.
Time Savings:
- AI delivers the translation instantly; with a professional translator, you have to wait. However…
- AI translations require significant post-editing: checking for accuracy, errors, incorrect sources, and terminology. This can easily take hours.
- A professional translator thoroughly checks everything, so you can rely on their expertise.
Copyright:
- The work of a professional translator is copyright-protected. No one can simply copy your translated texts.
- With AI, copyright is highly questionable, especially if you simply ask AI to translate a text. Some AI advocates claim you do have copyright if you use a complex prompt and make subsequent edits. While technically true, this reasoning ignores the fact that most businesses simply ask AI for a translation without further adjustments—leaving them with no copyright protection.
Confidentiality:
- Your text is safe with a professional translator, who is bound by GDPR and European privacy laws.
- With AI, you never know what happens to your data, not even with paid versions. Don’t trust AI advocates on this; they won’t admit it.
Results:
- The “good enough” quality of AI chips away at your image and sales. You won’t notice immediately, as it takes time. But once you do, it’s often too late. Rebuilding your reputation and sales can take months, if not years. Your initial cost savings ultimately lead to massive losses.
- This doesn’t happen when you work with a professional translator.
True Cost:
While AI may seem cheaper, in the long run, it costs you far more than a professional translator, especially when your revenue drops or grows much less than it would with a professional.
Final Verdict:
Though it may be tempting to rely on AI for translations and eliminate the human element, it’s not a smart strategic move.
Remember: your customers are human. People still prefer to read content written by people, not machines, no matter what AI advocates claim.
Alta Verba is ready to provide you with professional, human translations: translations that enhance your image, boost your sales, and resonate with people.
Contact me today.