Localization Today

We speak with Helena Batt (TED Conferences) and Guy Piecarz (Panjaya) about TED’s move from subtitles to AI-assisted, human-reviewed dubbing across 115 languages. They unpack why dubbing delivers experience—not just information—how consent and clear labeling are built in, and what it takes technically (speech separation, context-aware translation, timing, emotional fidelity, and lip-sync).

Translate beyond segments. In this episode, we dig into “segmentless localization” with Burroworks’ founder & CEO, exploring the Free Flow Editor’s context-rich approach to translating whole pages and posts—not line by line.

You’ll hear when this method outperforms classic CAT (blogs, social, email) and when it doesn’t (UI), how vector-based memory differs from TMs, how MT/LLM suggestions pair with human authorship, and why quality shifts from fidelity to effectiveness in the AI era.

By Yana Kolesnikova

The author presents a case study from ride-hailing app inDrive, detailing how the company addressed a problem with its Spanish-language localization strategy. After analyzing peer apps and gathering user feedback, inDrive was able to successfully adjust its messaging for Latin America and Spain.

By Wojciech Wołoszyk and Marta Domaszk

The authors detail a method for determining whether texts are human-written or AI-generated.  The approach combines computational analysis, linguistic expertise, and a weighting system to provide a probability assessment rather than a binary classification. This nuanced approach is valuable in professional contexts in which content authenticity has significant implications for quality assurance, compliance, or intellectual property.

By Joshua Pennise

The author examines the underlying reasons behind the ASL interpreter shortage — from insufficiently long training programs to “education deserts” — and suggests strategies for creating a more robust pipeline and setting diverse students up for success.

By Giovanna Patruno

The traditional service-oriented model of language service providers (LSPs) is becoming outdated as clients increasingly expect sophisticated technological ecosystems, including machine translation and analytics platforms. To thrive in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), LSPs need to redefine themselves as technology companies rather than just service providers.

By Pham Hoa Hiep

The author argues that — in the age of artificial intelligence — translators can survive and thrive by utilizing technology to boost efficiency and embracing new roles as linguistic architects, curators of meaning, and cultural mediators.

By Tim Brookes 

The author argues that writing by hand (versus typing) leads to increased learning, greater creativity, and even better health — benefits that we are in danger of losing in our haste to adopt digital tools.

We speak with Karen Decker (Association of Language Companies) about the industry’s visibility gap, ALC’s advocacy work, and AI as a tool that still requires human oversight. They unpack “language access as a right,” compliance and funding realities, and what to expect from the ALC Summit in New Orleans.

Acolad Netherlands GM Nancy Hähnel breaks down defense-sector localization: multilingual intelligence, vetted linguists, AI-assisted translation, and strict NATO/EU/national compliance—plus how teams balance speed, scale, and accuracy for mission-critical work.