One of the most common questions we get from clients: "Should we use AI translation or human translation?" The answer, as with most things, is "it depends."
When AI Translation Excels
AI translation is ideal for:
- High Volume, Low Risk: Internal communications, knowledge base articles, product descriptions
- Speed-Critical Content: Support tickets, real-time chat, news updates
- Repetitive Content: Technical documentation, standard operating procedures
When Human Translation is Essential
Human translators are irreplaceable for:
- Creative Content: Marketing campaigns, brand messaging, taglines
- Legal & Compliance: Contracts, regulatory filings, certified documents
- Cultural Adaptation: Content requiring deep cultural understanding and localization
The Hybrid Approach
The most effective strategy combines both. AI handles the heavy lifting—producing first drafts at scale—while humans add the finishing touches that ensure accuracy, cultural relevance, and brand voice.
Our data shows that this hybrid approach delivers:
- 70% faster turnaround than pure human translation
- 50% lower costs
- Equal or better quality (when measured by human evaluators)
The key is having the right infrastructure to seamlessly blend AI and human capabilities.