CIOL AI Voices – a white paper on AI in translation and language services

The Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) has released a white paper titled ‘CIOL AI Voices’, which explores the risks, opportunities, and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) for linguists, especially professional translators. The white paper provides expert voices and initial reflections, as well as major concerns from the CIOL Council on AI's use in translation and language services.

The white paper comes at a time when AI is transforming the context for translation and language services, with the emergence of new tools and technologies such as Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative AI (GenAI) that can both create and improve content – but which also contain biases and can make significant and serious mistakes. CIOL highlights the need to adapt to these changes, seize the opportunities, and support CIOL members and stakeholders in navigating this complex, emerging landscape.

The white paper flags some of the recent initiatives and frameworks for the responsible development and use of AI, such as the EU AI Act, the US Executive Order on the safe use of AI, and the UK AI Safety Summit, and the significance and importance of these developments for CIOL and its position on AI.

CIOL Chair of Council Steve Doswell said:

"As a Royal Chartered body, CIOL is here to represent and act in the best interests of the entire translation profession and industry, and indeed the wider profession of linguists. It is clear that transparency, safety, and ethical considerations should be at the forefront of our approach. We will advocate for these principles in our thinking and advise on the use of AI in translation and language services, and we will encourage our members and language professionals to do the same."

The white paper is available for download on the CIOL website here.