EP 138 - The Future of Translation with Dan Milczarski

Translation Confidential: AI and the Future of the Industry

Introduction to Guests and Topics

• Peter Arando and Patrick Dailyaly introduce Dan, referred to as the "wizard of all things" at Blackbird.

• The discussion aims to explore the future direction of the translation industry, emphasizing a positive outlook for collective success.

Frustration with AI Presentations

• Peter expresses frustration over an AI presentation that was overly complex and lacked clear takeaways, suggesting it aimed more to impress than inform.

• He advocates for simplifying discussions around AI by focusing on real business problems rather than jargon or buzzwords.

Demystifying AI in Business

• Emphasizes that AI should be treated as a tool rather than something mystical; it should be demystified like translation memory was in its early days.

• Advocates starting small with low-risk pilots when implementing AI solutions, avoiding overly ambitious projects that may lead to failure.

Building Trust Through Transparency

• Dan agrees with Peter's perspective, highlighting that many effective AI solutions operate behind the scenes and are not flashy but improve efficiency.

• He stresses the importance of transparency in technology to alleviate fear surrounding change, which can hinder progress.

The Role of Problem Solving at Blackbird

• Dan shares his passion for solving complex problems at Blackbird, likening himself to Jack from "Lost," indicating a deep commitment to helping clients.

Blackbird Solutions: A Tool for Problem Solving

The Role of Blackbird in Solution Development

• The speaker, as VP of solutions, emphasizes the importance of Blackbird in helping customers piece together solutions like Lego blocks.

• A potential user questions if Blackbird is suitable for those without a CTO or advanced tech skills; the speaker reassures that commitment to learning is more crucial than technical expertise.

Importance of Ownership and Commitment

• The speaker highlights that having an owner committed to making the product successful is more important than being highly technical.

• An anecdote illustrates how a user quickly adapted to using Blackbird with minimal guidance, showcasing its accessibility for moderately tech-savvy individuals.

Encouragement for Potential Users

• The speaker encourages reaching out to Dan (another participant), suggesting that even small improvements can lead to significant satisfaction with Blackbird.

• Emphasizes starting small with internal improvements rather than overwhelming oneself with complex tasks.

Transitioning into Technology and Localization Perspectives

• The discussion shifts towards the speaker's transition into technology, driven by a passion for helping others amidst increasing pressures on LSP technology leadership.

• Highlights the growing stress on technology leaders due to rapid changes in tech and AI pressures, leading to burnout among professionals.

Evolving Roles in Localization

• Discusses how LSP roles have evolved from focusing solely on language management to becoming tech consultants who must strategize around data curation and integration.

• Reflecting on historical perspectives, it notes that LSPs are now required to think beyond traditional terminology management.

Build vs. Buy Discussion

• Patrick introduces a discussion about whether companies should build their own solutions or use off-the-shelf products, indicating this has been a recurring topic among participants.

Reflections on Building Technology

The Importance of Realistic Expectations in Development

• The speaker reflects on the need for humility in technology development, suggesting that instead of striving to create the "best thing," one should recognize existing successful solutions.

• Many companies have attempted to compete with major players like Google and Microsoft in machine translation but often ended up utilizing their technologies instead.

• It's crucial to identify what truly differentiates your offering within your industry rather than trying to replicate existing technologies.

• Leveraging external technologies can save time and resources; focus on core competencies while using available tools for backend processes.

• Emphasizing differentiation is key; any development effort should yield a significant return on investment (ROI).

Balancing Automation with Human Touch

• The discussion shifts towards automation at Blackbird, highlighting the importance of maintaining a human element amidst technological advancements.

• There is a misconception that full automation is necessary; however, not all tasks add value and can be automated without losing quality.

• Automation can reduce risks associated with manual processes, such as file transfers, which are deemed unnecessary for humans to perform.

• Understanding organizational processes is vital; technology should enhance these processes rather than replace human oversight entirely.

• Digital transformation involves change management and addressing fears related to job security when implementing automation.

Embracing Change and Career Growth

• Personal anecdotes illustrate how initial fears about job loss due to automation can lead to opportunities for career advancement through skill development.

• Instead of resisting change, individuals should view it as an opportunity to contribute more significantly within their organizations by focusing on higher-value tasks.

• Encouragement from leadership plays a critical role in helping employees transition from fear of replacement to embracing new roles that add value.

• A proactive approach toward learning and adapting can lead individuals away from outdated roles into positions where they can leverage their expertise effectively.

Valuing Experience Over Routine Tasks

How to Transition into the Next Phase of Expertise?

Embracing Change in Professional Roles

• The discussion emphasizes the importance of leveraging existing expertise to transition into new roles, particularly focusing on becoming a top MTP (Most Talented Person) in one's field.

• Leaders are encouraged to retain valuable team members by exploring ways to repurpose their skills rather than laying them off, highlighting a more humane approach to workforce management.

• The speaker advocates for finding alternative roles within organizations for dedicated employees instead of losing talent during restructuring.

The Role of Automation and Human Oversight

• A reference is made to early website translation efforts that balanced automation with human intervention, underscoring the need for critical checkpoints in workflows.

• An anecdote illustrates a client still relying on outdated methods like copying and pasting content, indicating a gap in adopting modern solutions that could streamline processes.

Risks Associated with Over-Automation

• The conversation shifts towards the risks of full automation, suggesting that while some content can be automated, human oversight remains crucial for quality assurance.

• A cautionary tale is shared about an incident involving incorrect automated translations leading to serious health consequences, reinforcing the necessity for human checks in sensitive areas like medical information.

Innovative Workflow Solutions

• The potential benefits of using advanced tools like Blackbird are discussed, which offer structured workflows with built-in checkpoints and quality assurance measures.

Understanding the Importance of Business Problems

Starting with the Business Problem

• Emphasizes the necessity of beginning with a clear business problem to guide development, rather than creating something impressive without direction.

• Highlights that while a project may look visually appealing, it must ultimately address a specific business need.

Translation Snafus and Their Implications

• Discusses an amusing translation error where "made in Turkey" was incorrectly translated using "turkey" (the animal) instead of "Turkey" (the country).

• Notes that such errors can be humorous but also reflect serious issues in the translation industry, emphasizing the importance of accuracy.

Skills for Future Language Professionals

Essential Skills Beyond Language Proficiency

• Identifies process-mindedness as a crucial skill for future language professionals, focusing on understanding process mapping and interactions.

• Stresses the importance of customer service skills, particularly as automation increases; empathy towards customers' needs is vital.

Career Pathways in Language Services

• Suggests two potential career paths: embracing process automation for those uncomfortable with client interaction or engaging directly with clients for those who are more personable.

• Encourages seeking learning opportunities through shadowing client meetings or presentations to enhance understanding and skills.

The Role of Automation in Language Services

Understanding Organizational Processes

• Advocates for gaining insights into various organizational functions (e.g., finance, HR, sales), which can lead to improved automation strategies.

• Points out that recognizing inefficiencies between systems (like CRM and project management tools) can highlight areas ripe for automation.

Leveraging AI in Customer Interactions

• Proposes using AI to streamline processes like generating customer profiles based on minimal input data, enhancing efficiency within organizations.

Personal Insights from Dan

Uncovering Hidden Talents and Interests

• Shares personal anecdotes about podcasting experiences over 12 years, including interviews with notable figures like actor Sam Rockwell.

Creative Problem Solving in Business

The Role of Creativity

• The speaker emphasizes that creativity is essential for problem-solving, stating there is "no box" to think outside of, allowing for innovative solutions.

Passion and Engagement

• After two months in a new role, the speaker expresses excitement about working with automations and helping customers solve their problems, highlighting the importance of passion in one's career.

Collaboration Over Competition

• The discussion touches on the balance between competition and collaboration within the industry, advocating for encouraging customers to produce more content rather than competing for limited resources.

Global Connectivity Through Localization

• Localizing more content fosters global communication and cultural connectivity, which is viewed as beneficial for society. More localized content leads to increased business opportunities.

Industry Collaboration Insights

• The speaker reflects on the potential of collaborative efforts within the industry, suggesting that even large companies cannot handle all work alone; thus, collaboration can lead to greater success.

Key Takeaways from Experiences

Lifelong Lessons from Early Education

• A significant takeaway shared by a participant is that lessons learned in kindergarten—like kindness—should be applied throughout life and professional interactions.

Caution Against Self-Proclaimed Experts

• The speaker warns against individuals claiming to be AI experts without substantial knowledge or experience, suggesting skepticism towards such claims.

Embracing AI's Role in Business

• There’s an acknowledgment of AI's growing influence in business operations. However, it’s important to remain grounded and kind while navigating this evolving landscape.

Diverse Pathways into Language Industry

Importance of Soft Skills

• One participant highlights that various pathways exist into the language industry; soft skills are crucial alongside technical knowledge for effective customer service.

Personal Journey Reflections

• Another participant shares their unconventional journey into the language field through diverse experiences like studying Spanish and working various jobs during school years.

Solutions-Oriented Mindset

How Personal Experiences Shape Professional Development

Early Career Insights

• The speaker reflects on their formative work experience as a reservations agent for an airline, emphasizing the importance of customer service and exposure to databases and computer systems.

• They discuss the impact of having good managers, contrasting them with less favorable ones, which helped shape their understanding of effective leadership and personal values in the workplace.

The Role of Human Skills in an AI-Dominated World

• The conversation shifts to the significance of people skills and creative work, suggesting that these human attributes will be challenging for AI to replicate or manipulate effectively.

• A reference is made to the new "Blade Runner" movie, highlighting a desire for AI that embodies positive traits, as represented by the character Anna de Armas. This illustrates a vision for future AI interactions grounded in empathy and understanding.

Conclusion