Global Growth Strategies 2025: Webinar Recap

AI’s Transition from Hype to Reality

Grainne Maycock opened the session by highlighting the widespread buzz around AI in 2024, questioning whether the industry was still in the hype phase or had moved into practical application. Florian Faes from Slator provided a macro view, noting that while interest in AI and translation remains at an all-time high, the technology has become deeply embedded in daily workflows. He categorized the current landscape into three buckets:

Language AI for Consumers

Examples like the Lex Fridman podcast with President Zelensky, which utilized voice AI dubbing, illustrate how consumers are leveraging AI for content creation and distribution.

Translation as a Feature: Companies like MessagePoint and Oracle are embedding translation capabilities into their platforms, making it a secondary yet valuable feature in various SaaS applications.

Enterprise Adoption: A significant shift is seen at the enterprise level, where around 60% of companies have integrated AI into their operations. Enterprises increasingly demand AI solution partners to help navigate this transformation.

As the world - and the industry - shift towards AI-powered conversational experiences, Arle Lommel from CSA Research emphasized the need for real-time dialogue with consumers. This evolution breaks traditional localization processes, necessitating instantaneous, adaptive solutions that large language models can provide. Arle highlighted the importance of managing these systems effectively to ensure seamless integration across enterprises and stressed the unavoidable change to a different pricing model, leaving the seemingly outdated “per word/unit” behind.

AI Adoption: the Human Element and Risk Management

Eddie Arrieta of Multilingual Media underscored the irreplaceable role of human expertise in the AI landscape. While AI can handle many tasks, the quality and nuance brought by human input remain crucial. He observed a shift in sentiment from fear to optimism, as professionals recognize AI as a collaborative tool rather than a replacement. Eddie emphasized that complex workflows and high-quality outputs still require human oversight, ensuring that AI enhances rather than diminishes the value of human contributions.

And while AI adoption is evolving, the focus on efficiency and risk management is also growing - as highlighted by Laszlo Varga from Nimdzi. He pointed out that while AI can drive significant productivity gains, it also introduces complexities that require careful navigation. Laszlo stressed the importance of differentiating between AI applications suitable for multilingual use and those better suited for other purposes. He noted that while enterprises are eager to adopt AI, many are taking a cautious, iterative approach to mitigate risks.

Regulatory Landscape and Global Implications

The panel also explored the regulatory challenges associated with AI adoption. Gráinne prompted a discussion on the varying approaches to AI regulation across regions, from the EU AI Act to differing standards in North America and APAC. Florian Faes argued that current regulations might be premature, suggesting that private sector innovation could better address AI’s rapid evolution. In contrast, Laszlo and Arle highlighted the need for clear, thoughtful regulation to manage data privacy and ethical concerns without stifling innovation.

Key Trends for 2025

As the webinar concluded, each panelist shared their predictions for major trends in 2025:

Eddie Arrieta predicted massive AI adoption across industries, with a particular focus on language access and cross-industry collaboration to drive social impact.

Florian Faes emphasized the embedding of translation as a feature in various platforms, predicting that increased availability will drive greater demand.

Laszlo Varga foresaw increased maturity on the buyer side, with better decision-making processes to determine when AI or human input is most appropriate.

Arle Lommel highlighted the growing importance of risk management in AI-driven processes, with a focus on balancing automation with quality and compliance.

The webinar - with 100+ attendees - underscored that while AI is revolutionizing the language services industry, human expertise remains indispensable. The key to successful AI integration lies in strategic adoption, continuous learning, and a balanced approach that leverages both technological advancements and human creativity. As we move into 2025, the industry will continue to navigate these dynamic changes, striving for greater efficiency, quality, and global connectivity.