# 186 Adobe Sneaks into Language AI with Dub Dub Dub

Introduction and Overview

The hosts discuss the importance of translation in today's viral world and introduce the topics they will cover in this episode.

Translation AI Practical Use Cases for LLMS

• The hosts talk about their latest report titled "Translation AI: 10 Practical Applications of Large Language Models for the Translation and Localization Industry."

• They highlight the goal of summarizing how these models can be deployed in real-world scenarios.

• The report covers various practical use cases, including machine translation, machine translation quality estimation, making target text SEO friendly, and generating multiple target versions.

• The hosts emphasize that the report is highly useful and has received positive feedback from many people.

Reflection on Slater Con Conference

The hosts share their thoughts on the recent Slater Con conference they attended.

• They express their satisfaction with the event, considering it their first in-person conference since 2019.

• The conference had a diverse set of attendees, providing opportunities for networking and interesting conversations.

• Both hosts appreciate the quality content presented by speakers throughout the day.

• One highlight was an investor panel discussion that focused on practical implications of translation AI and large language models.

• Despite some challenges posed by audience questions, they found it rewarding to be challenged on stage.

Conference Attendance and Team Meetup

The hosts discuss attendance at Slater Con and their team meetup.

• Slater Con sold out four weeks ahead of time with 150 attendees. They joke about needing a bigger venue next time to accommodate more people.

• There is a mention of other conferences happening during this season, such as Lock World.

• Attendees at Slater Con were eager to understand where the industry is heading and sought answers from experts.

• The hosts also mention their team meetup, where 15 members of the Slater team gathered for discussions and activities in a scenic mountain location.

Team Meetup Experience

The hosts share their experience during the team meetup.

• They opted to take a train instead of hiking for several hours to reach the mountain location.

• The views and meeting facilities were described as incredible.

• One highlight was having their most recent hire, senior researcher Alex Edwards, share his perspective on their work from an outsider's point of view.

• Overall, the team meetup was inspiring and provided valuable insights.

Timestamps have been associated with bullet points as requested.

Overview of Top Language Agencies

The speaker discusses the top language agencies in the world, specifically mentioning Moravia and SDL. He emphasizes the importance of positioning oneself as an industry expert during this pivotal moment.

Key Points:

• Moravia and SDL are considered top language agencies globally.

• The speaker highlights the need to position oneself as an industry expert during this crucial time.

• There is a unique opportunity to establish RWS and the entire industry as experts in the Enterprise content life cycle.

• Many new players with less sophisticated approaches are entering the industry, making it essential for established experts to support clients.

Challenges and Conviction in AI Disruption

The speaker acknowledges the challenges posed by AI disruption but expresses confidence in the future of the business. They believe it is crucial to seize this opportunity to position RWS as an expert in the Enterprise content life cycle.

Key Points:

• The speaker recognizes that AI disruption presents challenges for the industry.

• Despite these challenges, they have conviction in the future of their business and the industry at large.

• This is a unique moment to position RWS as an expert in Enterprise content life cycle management.

Pivotal Moment for Industry Experts

The speaker emphasizes that now is a pivotal moment for all industry experts to establish themselves as knowledgeable professionals. They highlight how many newcomers with less sophisticated approaches are entering the field.

Key Points:

• It is crucial for industry experts to position themselves as knowledgeable professionals during this pivotal moment.

• Many newcomers with less sophisticated approaches are entering the field, making it even more important for established experts to stand out.

• Establishing expertise will enable experts to provide valuable assistance to clients.

Appreciation for Linguists and Language Specialists

The speaker expresses appreciation for linguists and language specialists, referring to them as the experts in the loop. They highlight the importance of respecting their role while repositioning translators and linguists.

Key Points:

• The speaker appreciates the expertise of linguists and language specialists.

• They refer to these professionals as "experts in the loop."

• While repositioning translators and linguists, it is essential to show respect for their valuable contributions.

Announcement of Board Changes

The speaker mentions recent board changes at RWS, specifically Andrew Brody stepping back from his role as chairman. They acknowledge the significant growth of RWS through strategic acquisitions.

Key Points:

• Andrew Brody, a major shareholder and former chairman of RWS, is stepping back from his position.

• Despite this change, RWS has a strong executive team led by Ian.

• RWS has experienced remarkable growth through well-executed buy-and-build strategies.

Impressive Growth of RWS

The speaker highlights the impressive growth of RWS over the years through strategic acquisitions. They emphasize how RWS transformed from an obscure patent translation company into a top language agency globally.

Key Points:

• Andrew Brody's involvement with RWS spans more than a decade.

• Through approximately 10 acquisitions, RWS evolved from a relatively unknown patent translation company to one of the top language agencies worldwide.

• The growth was achieved through well-executed buy-and-build strategies.

Translation's Viral Moment

The speaker discusses how translation is currently experiencing a viral moment with increased visibility among the general public. They mention examples such as lip-sync dubbing tests gaining millions of views and generating significant traffic for certain websites.

Key Points:

• Translation is having a viral moment with increased visibility among the general public.

• Examples include lip-sync dubbing tests that gained millions of views and generated significant traffic for specific websites.

• Translation is currently top of mind for many people, creating an interesting perspective from an insider's point of view.

AI Boom and Pressure on Language Services Industry

The speaker highlights the contrasting dynamics between the pressure faced by the language services industry due to AI and the booming AI sector. They mention Intento as a company that recently raised series A funding.

Key Points:

• The language services industry faces pressure due to AI advancements.

• Simultaneously, there is a significant boom in the AI sector.

• Intento, a machine translation and multilingual generative AI platform, recently raised $8 million in series A funding.

Intento's Series A Funding

The speaker provides details about Intento's recent series A funding round. They describe Intento as a machine translation and multilingual generative AI platform for global enterprises.

Key Points:

• Intento secured $8 million in series A funding.

• They are known as a machine translation and multilingual generative AI platform for global enterprises.

• This funding represents a significant milestone for Intento.

Due to the limited content provided, some sections may be shorter than others.

Translation Services and Technologies Funding

This section discusses the funding received by a company called Intento for their translation services and technologies.

Intento's Series A Funding

• Intento convinced investors to fund their Series A with $8 million.

• Somersault Ventures, one of the VCs involved, mentioned that translation services and technologies is a crowded space for investors.

• However, they were impressed with Intento's unique product and forward-looking approach to address the needs of large enterprises.

Zoo Digital's Struggles with Strikes and Losses

This section highlights the challenges faced by Zoo Digital due to strikes in Hollywood.

Zoo Digital's Financial Performance

• Zoo Digital, a UK-based media localization provider, expects a significant ebit loss in H1 due to strikes in Hollywood.

• The Writers Guild of America has resolved their strike, but the Screen Actors Guild's strike is ongoing.

• Zoo's share price has fallen by 20% since the beginning of its financial year.

• In H1, revenues are expected to be approximately $21 million, compared to $51 million in the previous year.

Impact on Zoo Digital

• The strikes have had a significant short-term impact on Zoo's financial performance.

• Orders have been historically low, leading to a decrease in revenues.

• The chairman predicts a significant ebit loss for the first half of the current financial year.

Expansion Plans

• Despite these challenges, Zoo Digital continues to expand its operations.

• They have recently announced an additional strategic investment in Zoo Turkey and opened hubs in India and South Korea as part of their international expansion plan.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

This section concludes the transcript and discusses the future outlook for Zoo Digital and other media localization companies.

• The impact of strikes on Zoo Digital's performance is expected to be resolved in the future.

• Zoo continues to expand its operations, including investments in Zoo Turkey and expansion into English dubbing.

• The transcript ends with a hopeful outlook for Zoo Digital and other media localization companies.

Timestamps are provided where available to help locate specific parts of the video.

New Section

This section discusses the demand for English dubbing in the market and how companies like Zuo and XCLA are capitalizing on it.

Demand for English Dubbing

• Markets are fueling demand for English dubbing.

• Zuo, being UK-based, hopes to capitalize on this demand.

XCLA's Position in the Market

• XCLA is a company in the multimedia space.

• They raised a $7.5 million series A funding round.

• The round closed in May 2023.

• XCLA acquired a transcription and translation provider called AHT.

• Total funds raised for XCLA is now $11.5 million USD.

• Interest in XCLA has been high this year.

New Section

This section focuses on XL8's valuation, product offerings, and plans for expansion.

XL8's Valuation and Product Offerings

• XL8 was valued at around $60 million USD during their funding round.

• They have two main products: Media Cat (AI media localization workflow system) and Event Cat (remote simultaneous interpreting for events).

• XL8 plans to enhance their product offerings by leveraging generative AI.

Expansion Plans

• XL8 aims to expand further internationally.

New Section

This section highlights Adobe's involvement in integrating AI into the modern localization workflow.

Adobe's Sneak Showcase

• Adobe released a sneak showcase featuring 11 inventions at their conference.

• One of the showcased projects is "Dub Dub," an automated video dubbing process powered by AI.

Language AI Technologies Becoming Embedded

• Adobe's involvement shows how deeply embedded language AI technologies are becoming.

New Section

This section discusses the competitive landscape in the AI dubbing space and the potential winners.

Competitive Landscape

• There are dedicated startups, big companies, Hollywood-focused ones, and tech giants competing in the AI dubbing space.

• Adobe's entry into this space indicates a trend of big companies incorporating AI dubbing as a feature.

Potential Winners

• The race to dominate the AI dubbing market is ongoing.

• It remains to be seen who will come out on top.

Conclusion

The transcript covers topics such as the demand for English dubbing, XCLA's funding and product offerings, Adobe's involvement in language AI technologies, and the competitive landscape in the AI dubbing space. These insights provide an overview of current trends and developments in these areas.