Navigating AI In Translation: Why Human Expertise Still Matters

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The translation landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation, propelled by the accelerating influence of artificial intelligence (AI). In this evolving environment, institutions like the Translation and Training Center (TTC) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University are uniquely equipped to respond - addressing both the possibilities and pitfalls that AI brings to the field.
AI has undoubtedly enhanced efficiency in translation. Today's tools are faster, more accessible, and increasingly accurate, making them useful for generating draft translations and offering quick multilingual access. They prove especially valuable in time-sensitive or high-volume contexts, such as processing large datasets or facilitating real-time communication. Yet, as with any disruptive technology, these advantages come with significant caveats - particularly when dealing with complex, sensitive, or culturally nuanced content.
One of the most pressing challenges posed by AI translation is its inability to reliably handle nuance, cultural context, and rhetorical intent. Perhaps more troubling is the phenomenon of hallucination, where AI produces content that is factually incorrect or entirely fabricated. These are not mere technical glitches - they strike at the heart of what makes translation trustworthy. Language is not a neutral code; it is a vessel for meaning, shaped by history, identity, tone, and communicative intent. This complexity is even more pronounced in Arabic, a language whose idiomatic richness, syntactic structure, and cultural references diverge significantly from those of most European languages.
This is where TTC's human-centred approach becomes indispensable. At every level - from graduate training to national translation initiatives - TTC places a premium on linguistic judgment, cultural literacy, and contextual precision. Translation, in this view, is as much an art as it is a science. The Center ensures that human insight remains central to the process, even as technology plays an increasingly supportive role.
Another critical consideration is confidentiality. Many AI translation tools are cloud-based, meaning sensitive or classified content may be processed externally without sufficient safeguards. This poses serious risks for institutions dealing with proprietary, legal, diplomatic, or security-related material. TTC adheres to the highest ethical standards, operating in secure environments and ensuring all professionals are bound by confidentiality agreements. Here, discretion is as important as accuracy, and technological use is guided by clear human responsibility.
TTC's role extends well beyond safeguarding translation quality. It is an active contributor to Qatar's broader vision of building“bridges of linguistic and intellectual communication” across cultures. Through professional training programmes and hands-on workshops, TTC trains a new generation of professionals who are not only proficient in language but also equipped to meet the demands of diplomacy, academia, media, and international commerce. This focus on in-house professional development ensures that translators and interpreters working across public institutions stay current with evolving standards, sector-specific terminology, and best practices. The result is public communication that meets the highest standards of clarity, precision, and professionalism.
In keeping with its commitment to innovation, TTC has recently introduced a workshop focused on the strategic use of AI-powered translation tools. This timely initiative reflects the growing need for translators who are both linguistically skilled and technologically fluent. For those ready to embrace these tools, the workshop offers practical guidance - recognising that AI solutions are increasingly essential in managing complex and technical assignments.
What also sets TTC apart is its engagement with both local and global partners. The Center works closely with leading universities, such as King's College London and the London School of Economics, to support the production of Arabic-language academic content - resources actively used by masters students in Qatar and beyond. Nationally, TTC collaborates with a wide range of ministries and public institutions on major translation and training projects. One notable example is its recent partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) to produce Arabic and French versions of the United Nations' E-Government Survey 2024 - a project that earned formal recognition from the UN itself.
At a time when AI is reshaping traditional models of language work, TTC offers a thoughtful and balanced way forward. It embraces innovation without losing sight of the values that define high-quality, human-led translation. As Qatar continues to establish itself as a centre for global dialogue, TTC's voice in this conversation is not only relevant - it is essential.

• . The author is Acting Director of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Hamad Bin Khalifa University's Translation and Training Center.

(This piece has been submitted by HBKU's Communications Directorate on behalf of its author. The thoughts and views expressed are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect an official University stance.)

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