In a bold prediction at the Web Summit in Lisbon, Vasco Pedro, CEO of Unbabel, claimed that human translators might no longer be essential in the next three years. This announcement accompanied the launch of Widn.AI, Unbabel’s latest translation tool, powered by an advanced large language model (LLM) known as “Tower.” As the translation industry becomes increasingly competitive, Pedro’s statements add to the ongoing debate over AI’s role in sectors traditionally managed by humans.
Widn.AI: Unbabel’s Entry into the AI Translation Market
Widn.AI, built on Unbabel’s proprietary LLM, marks a significant shift from Unbabel’s previous approach, which combined AI with human editors to enhance accuracy. By training Tower to translate 32 languages independently, Unbabel aims to take AI translation to a new level. According to Pedro, the rapid advancements in AI now enable translations that don’t require human oversight, except in the most complex cases.
“Translation is now fully in the realm of AI capabilities,” said Pedro. “It’s hard for me to see how three years from now, you will need humans to be translating anything.”
While the need for human translation expertise may diminish, Pedro acknowledges that people may still oversee quality control and final delivery.
The Competition: AI Translation Titans
Unbabel’s Widn.AI is entering a crowded market that already includes established names like Google Translate and DeepL. These competitors are also investing heavily in LLMs to enhance their multilingual capabilities. As AI-based translation models evolve, they’re increasingly used across diverse industries, from business documentation to customer service.
Cost vs. Scale: How AI May Reshape Translation Economics
Pedro’s vision for the future of translation is not just technological but economic. As the quality of AI translation approaches human levels, the cost per word is expected to drop. However, the increase in content that can be translated efficiently could drive overall growth in demand for translation services.
“The revenue per translated word is going to drastically reduce,” Pedro noted, “but the amount of content translated will continue to grow, which we believe will sustain our company’s growth.”
Unbabel’s focus on AI-driven efficiency aligns with current trends, as organizations worldwide look to streamline costs without sacrificing quality.
The Future of Human Translation Jobs: What to Expect
Pedro’s prediction raises critical questions for the future of human translators. If AI can handle most translation needs, will there still be a place for humans in this field? For now, Unbabel sees a place for humans in overseeing complex translations and ensuring the final product meets quality standards. However, the evolution of AI models like Tower suggests that these responsibilities may shrink over time.
Unbabel’s Funding and Growth Prospects
To scale Widn.AI, Unbabel is seeking an investment between $20 million and $50 million. This funding would accelerate model training, enhance language capabilities, and expand market reach. The push for further investment highlights the rapid pace of development in AI translation as companies race to make translation faster, more accessible, and ultimately cheaper.
Final Thoughts
The launch of Widn.AI underscores the transformational role AI is playing in industries worldwide, with translation as a leading example. While AI’s promise of reducing costs and increasing productivity is enticing, it also signals a shift in the employment landscape for translators. Over the next few years, businesses, educational institutions, and governments will likely rely increasingly on AI-driven translation tools, reshaping the industry in ways we’re only beginning to understand.
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