The Linguist

20 The Linguist Vol/64 No/2 ciol.org.uk/thelinguist FEATURES The final session of the Chartered Institute of Linguists Translators Day 2025 featured a panel of CIOL Council members discussing the evolving landscape of the language industry. Hosted by Chair of Council Steve Doswell, they focused on the impact of AI and machine translation, and the enduring value of professional linguists. Anita Van Adelsbergen, Vice Chair of CIOL Council and Chair of the CIOL ED&I (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Committee, emphasised the importance of specialisation for translators. Drawing from her experience working with direct clients in specialised fields including equestrian journalism, dogs, yoga and Ayurveda, she observed that AI has had a limited impact on her work. "If you know what you know and are able to put the value of that across to your clients, AI isn't so much of a big deal," she noted. This is illustrated by the opportunities that have come her way by being in the right places at the right times (most recently at Crufts dog show) and being ready to network and connect anywhere – including in the airline queue! Dr Mariam Aboelezz, lecturer in Arabic translation studies at the University of Liverpool, addressed the challenges and opportunities in translator training. She emphasised the need to tackle AI questions head on, noting that while some translation jobs are being affected by machine translation and generative AI, these technologies also create new opportunities. "In 10 years' time, we will take for granted that translators know how to use AI, and it will be integrated into most translation work," she predicted, stressing the importance of removing stigma around appropriate and ethical use of AI in educational settings and preparing students to be lifelong learners. Vasiliki Prestidge, Director of Greek to Me, highlighted how technology is reshaping translators' daily work. "The way we perform the work has changed," she explained, describing how many translators now navigate multiple technology platforms and client systems on any given day. She noted that translators increasingly need to become technologists, understanding how to use various tools that aren't always translation- or translator-friendly. Vasiliki also shared an insight from a venture capitalist who told her the translation industry has "already been living in the future, but in the past" as translators have been experiencing for over a decade what other professionals will encounter in years to come. Dom Hebblethwaite, Head of Membership at CIOL, noted that translators – compared to many other professions – are uniquely positioned to adapt to AI advancements having successfully navigated previous technological transitions from translation memory (TM) to machine translation (MT). He also noted a growing trend among translators of working directly with clients rather than through language service providers. The panellists discussed the emerging skills required for modern linguists, with Anita emphasising that translators need to develop CIOL experts on navigating change in the language professions Panel highlights ON THE PANEL: (l-r) Mariam Aboelezz, Dom Hebblethwaite, Steve Doswell, Vasiliki Prestidge and Anita Van Adelsbergen Conference

• Cover