On November 30, 2022, OpenAI invited people on Twitter to try the AI conversation interface ChatGPT and provide feedback. Usage soon exploded. The chat app reached over one million users in just five days.
ChatGPT builds on OpenAI’s GPT-3 and InstructGPT large language models (LLMs) and is next-level for AI dialogue iterations. It produces coherent, essay-style responses — albeit occasionally wordy and completely false. (Plenty of disclaimers introduce users to the app.)
We tried asking ChatGPT questions about the language industry. Here are the unedited results.
Slator: What’s the future of the translation industry given that AI applications are getting so much better?
ChatGPT: It’s difficult to predict the exact future of the translation industry, but it’s likely that AI will play a larger role in the industry as AI technology continues to improve. This could mean that machine translation will become more accurate and more widely used, potentially reducing the need for human translators in some cases. However, it’s also possible that the use of AI will complement the work of human translators and make their job easier, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks. Ultimately, the future of the translation industry will depend on a variety of factors, including the continued development of AI technology and the demand for translation services.
Slator: Will AI Interpreters completely replace Conference Interpreters?
ChatGPT: It’s possible that AI interpreters could eventually be used in some situations, but it’s unlikely that they will completely replace human conference interpreters. There are several reasons for this.
First, AI interpreters may not have the same level of language proficiency and cultural knowledge as human interpreters. Conference interpreting is a highly skilled profession that requires a deep understanding of multiple languages and cultures. It’s difficult for AI systems to replicate this level of knowledge and expertise.
Second, the use of AI interpreters could raise concerns about accuracy and bias. Human interpreters are able to accurately convey the nuances and subtleties of language, which is important in a conference setting. AI interpreters, on the other hand, may not be able to provide the same level of accuracy and could introduce errors or bias into the interpretation.
Finally, many people may prefer to have a human interpreter in a conference setting, as they can provide a more personal and engaging experience. This is especially true in situations where the conference participants need to have a high level of trust in the interpreter, such as in negotiations or diplomacy.
Overall, while AI interpreters may have some potential uses in certain situations, it’s unlikely that they will completely replace human conference interpreters.
Slator: What’s the optimal number of language combinations to translate a global marketing campaign into if you want to reach at least half of the world’s population?
ChatGPT: It’s difficult to say exactly what the optimal number of language combinations would be for a global marketing campaign without knowing more about the specific details of the campaign and its target audience. In general, however, it’s likely that a campaign that is translated into a few key languages would be more effective at reaching a large portion of the global population than one that is translated into many different languages. Some of the most widely spoken languages in the world include Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, English, Hindi, and Arabic, so it would be a good idea to consider translating your campaign into at least one of these languages if your goal is to reach a large portion of the global population.
Slator Pro Guide: Finding Growth in Adjacent Services
Slator: If you started a business in the translation industry today, which sectors would you focus on?
ChatGPT: If I were starting a business in the translation industry today, I would focus on providing high-quality translation services to a wide range of sectors, including technology, finance, law, and healthcare. These sectors often require specialized knowledge and expertise, so I would make sure to hire experienced translators who are fluent in the languages and subject areas relevant to these industries. Additionally, I would prioritize building strong relationships with clients and providing exceptional customer service in order to differentiate my business from competitors and establish a strong reputation in the industry.
Slator: Give me 10 ideas for great titles for a translation services company blog
ChatGPT:
- “The Power of Translation: How It Can Expand Your Business”
- “The Importance of Accurate Translation in Global Communication”
- “The Benefits of Working with a Professional Translation Services Company”
- “The Role of Translation in International Trade”
- “Top 10 Tips for Choosing the Right Translation Services Provider”
- “The Future of Translation: How Technology is Changing the Game”
- “The World in Your Language: The Benefits of Multilingual Content”
- “The Art and Science of Translation: How to Achieve Precision and Fluency”
- “The Global Language Marketplace: Understanding the Demand for Translation Services”
- “Translating for Different Industries: Specialized Translation Services for Your Business Needs”
A basic feature of LLMs is predictability and ChatGPT nicely ticks that box. Humans gave ChatGPT a human tone and also its speech patterns.
OpenAI explained, “We trained an initial model using supervised fine-tuning: human AI trainers provided conversations in which they played both sides — the user and an AI assistant. We gave the trainers access to model-written suggestions to help them compose their responses.”
Finally, ChatGPT is adding users at record pace, as CEO Sam Altman tweeted on December 5th, 2022.
Hat tip: Do check out Translation Technology Weekly’s “Interview” with ChatGPT on Translators and Translation”.
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