The State of AI in Localisation: 2025 Industry Insights

As AI continues to transform industries worldwide, its impact on the translation sector is both profound and multifaceted. To understand this transformation, we conducted comprehensive research with linguists, industry professionals, and international organisations that use localisation services. This report uncovers their perspectives on the opportunities, challenges, and concerns AI brings to translation.
From issues of quality and cultural nuance to transparency and fair working conditions, our findings reveal the priorities that must shape the responsible integration of AI into translation workflows.

• Levels of AI adoption and awareness are mixed
  While many of the linguists and international organisations included in the survey recognise the growing role of AI, there’s uncertainty and a lack of awareness about its proper application. This divide underlines the need for clearer education on AI’s strengths, weaknesses, and limitations.
• AI’s strengths: Speed and efficiency
  The ability of AI to process large volumes of text quickly and cost-effectively is a clear advantage. Many participants acknowledged how AI can assist in managing high workloads, especially for repetitive and straightforward tasks.
• AI’s weaknesses: Quality and industry disruption
  Concerns about poor quality, loss of cultural nuance, and an over-reliance on AI were repeatedly raised. Linguists also expressed fears of declining rates and reduced opportunities, as well as the risk of “good enough” becoming the industry standard.
• A call for fairness and transparency from LSPs
  Linguists highlighted the importance of transparency around how AI is being used and ensuring fair compensation, particularly for post-editing tasks. There’s a clear demand for translation companies to educate clients on the limits of AI and advocate for the value of human expertise.
• The future is collaborative
  Our findings reveal a shared vision of collaboration between humans and AI. The most effective workflows will pair the speed and efficiency of AI tools with the creativity, nuance, and critical thinking of human linguists to achieve the best results.

• What international organisations, linguists, and industry professionals think about AI’s role in translation.
• The challenges AI introduces and how the industry can overcome them.
• Practical steps translation companies can take to support linguists and maintain quality.
• Emerging themes from open-ended feedback, offering real-world perspectives from linguists.

Discover the insights shaping the future of translation and how the industry can adapt responsibly. Download our free report for a detailed analysis and actionable takeaways.

Want to contribute your voice or learn more about this research? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us to share your perspectives or take part in future studies on AI’s impact on translation.