{"id":8334,"date":"2026-03-25T12:56:22","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T12:56:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/artikel\/ai-translations-what-can-be-used-productively-and-what-cant\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T07:05:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T07:05:30","slug":"ai-translations-what-can-be-used-productively","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/artikel\/ai-translations-what-can-be-used-productively\/","title":{"rendered":"AI translations: what can be used productively &ndash; and what can&rsquo;t"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-row nectar-block nectar-blocks-row nectar-blocks-row__inner nectar-blocks-row__wrapper parent-block-block-RwxO7FEhkf\" id=\"block-RwxO7FEhkf\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-1BuzhUhDIn\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-1BuzhUhDIn nectar-blocks-column__wrapper\">\n<p id=\"block-RAE7UmYxWA\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">Many companies regularly use AI tools to translate content quickly and cost-effectively. However, this perceived increase in productivity comes at a price as without quality checks, flawed or substandard content can find its way into circulation and cause lasting damage to a brand\u2019s reputation. In this article, you will find out where AI currently provides productive support in translation and where human expertise remains indispensable.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-row nectar-block nectar-blocks-row nectar-blocks-row__inner nectar-blocks-row__wrapper parent-block-block-m9ucfdyyh3\" id=\"block-m9ucfdyyh3\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-ouLgy2ClVu\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-ouLgy2ClVu nectar-blocks-column__wrapper\">\n<h2 id=\"block-6pbaef01nr\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-h3\">Real-world use cases vs. hype<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-kwN47BTbCJ\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">Translations at the touch of a button are nothing new. Ever since the breakthrough of neural machine translation (NMT) in 2016, automatic translation output has been available almost everywhere. Many tools are even integrated into smartphones, browsers or apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-d3Sj7l6ObS\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">This development has changed the way companies view language services \u2013 with consequences such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-row nectar-block nectar-blocks-row nectar-blocks-row__inner nectar-blocks-row__wrapper parent-block-block-OVuE7oOM83\" id=\"block-OVuE7oOM83\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-sNQiCvZNTs\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__wrapper parent-block-block-sNQiCvZNTs\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-sNQiCvZNTs\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:18px\">Translations are often now <strong>produced using tools only<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Declining willingness to pay<\/strong> for professional translations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:18px\">The perception of translation as a <strong>standardised process that can be automated<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-o5JkCHW8U5\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">With the emergence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), the hype has intensified once again. Because AI systems can be specifically influenced by prompts and context, it can quickly seem as though translation can be fully automated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"block-pbwZ3GpoHC\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-h5\">But does that actually work in practice?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-08XLgTY22c\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">Machine translations still contain inaccuracies and linguistic errors as well as significant shortcomings. Terminology and context are often not captured accurately, and content is translated word for word. In professional settings, such flaws lead to high levels of post-editing, which quickly negate the anticipated cost savings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-nkbj3vZQvV\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">That is why AI translation should be integrated into professional processes and supported by human quality assurance rather than outsourcing translation entirely to an AI tool and simply \u2018hoping for the best\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-HK8ANxXRDG\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text\">Possible approaches include, for example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-row nectar-block nectar-blocks-row nectar-blocks-row__inner nectar-blocks-row__wrapper parent-block-block-lAjzxic4eL\" id=\"block-lAjzxic4eL\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-R8Ty4LniGh\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__wrapper parent-block-block-R8Ty4LniGh\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-R8Ty4LniGh\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Feasibility analysis<\/strong> prior to the project<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:18px\">Using AI as a <strong>resource<\/strong> within translation software (computer-aided translation tools)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:18px\">Translation memories (TM) and the use of existing <strong>TM matches<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:18px\">Editing and review by <strong>experienced language professionals<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-rXMwVhfyd1\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">This enables companies to produce translations using AI in a targeted manner without compromising on quality or requiring lengthy post-editing processes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-row nectar-block nectar-blocks-row nectar-blocks-row__inner nectar-blocks-row__wrapper parent-block-block-Gpcepr3ZaY\" id=\"block-Gpcepr3ZaY\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-JkVefIdJS0\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__wrapper parent-block-block-JkVefIdJS0\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-JkVefIdJS0\">\n<h2 id=\"block-7qam95yKMb\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-h3\">Differences between text types and subject areas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-V6xTfC41iX\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">Not everything that is technically possible is necessarily suitable for AI translation. That is why every AI translation project should ideally begin with a feasibility analysis to determine whether machine translation and post-editing are actually suitable for a particular text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-S48monkhpI\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">The following questions are important in this regard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-row nectar-block nectar-blocks-row nectar-blocks-row__inner nectar-blocks-row__wrapper parent-block-block-oCUZ2I5ck0\" id=\"block-oCUZ2I5ck0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-Rz3DEskyDa\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-Rz3DEskyDa nectar-blocks-column__wrapper\">\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Technical<\/strong>: Can the files be processed in a computer-aided translation tool? Is the segmentation appropriate?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Linguistic<\/strong>: Is the target language suitable for machine translation with post-editing (MTPE)? Is the source text linguistically correct?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-ZSasYys6hc\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-ZSasYys6hc nectar-blocks-column__wrapper\">\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Content<\/strong>: Are the text type and subject area suitable for MTPE?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>Accompanying information<\/strong>: Are there any reference materials, previous translations, style guides or terminology?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-YV7xTBoOLH\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">Only once these points have been clarified will it be possible to make a realistic assessment of whether and how AI translation can be used effectively.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-row nectar-block nectar-blocks-row nectar-blocks-row__inner nectar-blocks-row__wrapper parent-block-block-VbhfA9KNi0\" id=\"block-VbhfA9KNi0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-nAvSYwWETJ\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__wrapper parent-block-block-nAvSYwWETJ\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-nAvSYwWETJ\">\n<h3 id=\"block-wGvLf44FlQ\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-h5\">Different text types and the challenges they present<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-MuVS8H0LBb\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">The requirements for translation processes vary depending on the type of text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-row nectar-block nectar-blocks-row nectar-blocks-row__inner nectar-blocks-row__wrapper parent-block-block-dHGCB9JRxK\" id=\"block-dHGCB9JRxK\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-735CwEh1bb\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-735CwEh1bb nectar-blocks-column__wrapper\">\n<p id=\"block-brS17YW8FP\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\"><strong>Technical texts<\/strong> are usually written in a neutral style, but contain a great deal of specialised terminology as well as short, context-light fragments such as menu texts or error messages. Particularly in the case of safety-related content, such as operating instructions, a mistranslated word can have serious consequences.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-zrIcaRjNrb\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-zrIcaRjNrb nectar-blocks-column__wrapper\">\n<p id=\"block-BUz3QKWZT2\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\"><strong>Marketing texts<\/strong> must be easy to read, reflect the brand\u2019s tone, and connect with users on an emotional level. These text types often also require wordplay or creative phrasing in the target language, which cannot be translated word for word from the original.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-cuIq1nyOoB\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">Such differences have a significant impact on how well machine translation works and how much post-editing is required. Companies should therefore integrate AI tools into their existing translation processes and work with professional translation resources such as computer-aided translation tools and terminology databases.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-row nectar-block nectar-blocks-row nectar-blocks-row__inner nectar-blocks-row__wrapper parent-block-block-lGW4t2SwNs\" id=\"block-lGW4t2SwNs\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-tR0X0FDRXg\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-tR0X0FDRXg nectar-blocks-column__wrapper\">\n<h3 id=\"block-dnL5iTN3Mf\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-h5\">The consequences of failure to follow processes and use terminology<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-avULomiZCt\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">But what happens if the necessary processes and terminology for working with AI translations are lacking? Then companies risk the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-row nectar-block nectar-blocks-row nectar-blocks-row__inner nectar-blocks-row__wrapper parent-block-block-x247czauPH\" id=\"block-x247czauPH\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-2Dk6AXLPzA\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__wrapper parent-block-block-2Dk6AXLPzA\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-2Dk6AXLPzA\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:18px\">Content is translated afresh on a regular basis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:18px\">The significant amount of post-editing required for checking and final verification offsets cost savings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:18px\">Without specified terminology, AI systems do not provide reliable technical terms but instead select the most likely wording<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:18px\">Terminology corrections can represent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/artikel\/glossary-creation-at-the-touch-of-a-button\/\">up to 45% of the work required for post-editing<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-vujG5MZk6H\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">This is precisely why it is important not to rely solely on technology but to integrate human expertise as well.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-row nectar-block nectar-blocks-row nectar-blocks-row__inner nectar-blocks-row__wrapper parent-block-block-pxGpsdcdUQ\" id=\"block-pxGpsdcdUQ\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-jJ53p0khYn\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-jJ53p0khYn nectar-blocks-column__wrapper\">\n<h2 id=\"block-aPaS8fNHSq\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-h3\">Why \u2018just running it through ChatGPT\u2019 isn\u2019t enough<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-5t8jRjFeLx\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">Nowadays, a lot of content can be translated in just a few clicks. We are increasingly hearing people say things like: \u201cWe don\u2019t need expensive translators for that. We can do it quickly with ChatGPT or DeepL.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-B9li15Av4k\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">Unfortunately, companies often cut corners in the wrong places. Contrary to popular belief, systems make mistakes too \u2013 and it\u2019s essential that most content translated by AI is checked by humans to ensure it is accurate and of the required quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-HnxwU5n7Vp\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">And that brings us straight to the next point: this quality cannot always be assessed straight away. When companies publish content in languages that nobody in-house speaks, it is difficult for them to assess whether an AI translation is actually correct or not. Focusing on (supposedly) good machine translation output for individual languages often leads to the mistaken assumption that all the required languages can be handled effectively using that particular tool.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-row nectar-block nectar-blocks-row nectar-blocks-row__inner nectar-blocks-row__wrapper parent-block-block-nj4h7c4tMl\" id=\"block-nj4h7c4tMl\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-column nectar-blocks-column nectar-block\" id=\"block-1xovvlzYbh\"><div class=\"nectar-blocks-column__inner nectar-blocks-column__content-wrap parent-block-block-1xovvlzYbh nectar-blocks-column__wrapper\">\n<h2 id=\"block-zk9qYKqCob\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-h3\">Conclusion: AI translations require human expertise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-SHtlHjQUEk\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\">When properly integrated, AI can speed up translation processes and cut costs. Nevertheless, companies should not dispense with structured workflows, integration in established tools, terminology and human quality assurance: because while technology delivers speed, expertise guarantees reliability. Only by combining professional processes with linguistic and technical expertise can AI translation be put to truly effective use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-68UTQSDvTm\" class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-text nectar-blocks-text nectar-font-body\"><strong>Would you like to find out how the team at oneword can make your translation processes more efficient and more reliable by combining AI with human expertise? Then book a no-obligation consultation now.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-nectar-blocks-button nectar-blocks-button nectar-gt-ASwi5Tf10p\" id=\"block-X2r7R4r2r6\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/contact\/\" class=\"nectar__link nectar-blocks-button__inner\"><span class=\"nectar-blocks-button__text\">Get in touch with us now!<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":7970,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_nectar_blocks_hide_post_title":false,"_nectar_blocks_transparent_header_effect":false,"_nectar_blocks_transparent_header_effect_color":"light","_nectar_blocks_header_animation":false,"_nectar_blocks_header_animation_delay":0,"_nectar_blocks_header_animation_effect":"fade","_nectar_blocks_page_css":"","_nectar_blocks_page_js":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[64],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8334","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-ai"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8334","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8334"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8334\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11740,"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8334\/revisions\/11740"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7970"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8334"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8334"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oneword.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8334"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}