The Impact of Generative AI on the Role of Translators and Its Implications for Translation Education

Abstract

This paper explores the profound impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on the translation industry and analyzes its implications for the changing role of translators and translation education. With advancements in AI technologies such as Neural Machine Translation (NMT) and GPT models, there has been significant progress in improving the efficiency and accuracy of translations. However, the responsibilities of translators have shifted from traditional manual translation to new tasks, including post-editing, quality assurance, and data management in AI-assisted translation. The paper also discusses potential threats posed by AI, including job displacement, deskilling, biases in AI output, and issues of accountability. Based on these findings, the necessity for curriculum reform in translation education is emphasized, highlighting the importance of AI literacy, technical skills, and balance with traditional linguistic competencies. Furthermore, recommendations for future research and policy in translation education are provided to ensure that translators maintain their core values and effectively adapt to technological changes in the AI era.