# 208 The Normalization of Language AI

New Section

The introduction discusses the upcoming news episode and the absence of recent updates due to a break since March 8th. Plans to cover various developments are highlighted.

Start of News Episode

• Start of the news episode with a discussion on startups focusing on specific niches and big tech companies considering additional features.

• Mention of a break since March 8th, leading to a month-long gap in news episodes.

• Emphasis on catching up with significant events that have occurred during this period.

Key Events and Updates

This section covers updates on Live Sciences and Language AI report, details about Slaton London event agenda, and speakers lineup.

Updates and Event Agenda

• Discussion about the overdue Live Sciences and Language AI report from 2019.

• Announcement of Slaton London event scheduled for May 23rd with a welcome reception on May 22nd near the London Eye.

• Detailed agenda including keynote by Iris Oris from Meta (formerly Facebook), presentations by industry leaders like Brian Murphy and Martina Panco, followed by technology panels moderated by experts.

Panel Discussions Preview

Preview of panel discussions at Slaton London event covering topics such as clinical research, AI-enabled localization in media entertainment industry, and insights from startups.

Panel Discussions Highlights

• Mention of panels featuring IQVIA, Eptech, Deluxe, Vinted, Birdhouse Mabel Ai, Cambi among others.

• Notable speakers include Richard Pernell from IQVIA discussing clinical delivery transformation.

• Anna moderating a panel with startups listed under '50 under 50' list showcasing their progress in the industry.

Translation AI Trends

Focus on translation AI trends including featurization normalization, mergers & acquisitions update in LSPs sector, Google Translate's feature changes, animal communication translation using latest models.

Translation AI Trends Insights

• Exploration of featurization normalization in translation AI landscape.

• Updates on mergers & acquisitions within Language Service Providers (LSPs) domain.

• Discussion around Google Translate discontinuing its contribute feature.

• Unpacking the concept of translating animal communications using advanced models.

AI Dubbing Development

Delving into Adobe's development in AI dubbing within Creative Cloud software suite and implications for users seeking automated dubbing solutions.

Adobe's AI Dubbing Progress

• Teasing release of 'dubdub doop' feature within Adobe's Creative Cloud software suite for video editing.

• Comparison between standalone specialized solutions versus integrated features like auto-dubbing within larger platforms like Adobe Creative Cloud.

New Section

In this section, the discussion revolves around Adobe's latest investor call and the unveiling of new research in digital media business.

Adobe's Latest Investor Call

• : David Vami, President of the digital media business at Adobe, discusses the unveiling of new research such as music generation models and editing tools.

• : Pricing strategies for products like Adobe Firefly are being considered, with a focus on deducting credits for image and video generation due to high computational costs.

• : The discussion includes the cost implications of AI dubbing and how pricing will reflect the intensity of resource usage.

• : There is a consideration for charging more for actions like AI dubbing to cover significant costs rather than bundling them for free.

• : Differentiating between free features like AI system for PDF summarization and premium services like AI dubbing that may incur additional costs.

New Section

This section delves into the competitive landscape of AI companies entering the multilingual translation market.

Competitive Landscape in Multilingual Translation Market

• : Various companies, including open AI and big tech firms like Adobe, are entering the multilingual translation market to capitalize on its rapid growth.

• : Startups like open AI and established players like Adobe are vying for a share in the multilingual translation market driven by advancements in AI technology.

• : Sinclair Media partners with Haen to use Advanced AI technology for translating content into Spanish, exemplifying the normalization of translation AI in media production.

New Section

The normalization of full machine translation AI adoption by mainstream media companies is discussed along with responsible usage practices.

Mainstream Adoption of Translation AI

• : Mainstream media companies are increasingly adopting full machine translation AI in content production while emphasizing responsible usage practices.

• : Companies like Sinclair emphasize responsible AI usage through disclosure slates in episodes and participation in initiatives promoting ethical deployment of AI technologies.

New Section

The discussion revolves around recent mergers in the industry, particularly focusing on a unique merger between two companies based in Zurich.

Merger Analysis

• The merger discussed is between two Zurich-based companies, Super Teex Tech Shuttle. This merger stands out as it involves two significant Swiss companies with similar trajectories.

• Both companies are successful within Switzerland, although not globally prominent. The merger is notable for its magnitude and the appointment of the tech CEO to lead the combined organization.

• The discussion highlights the rarity of such mergers in the industry, emphasizing the interest in observing its outcomes and future developments.

Industry M&A Updates

This section covers various mergers and acquisitions within the industry during March.

March M&A Activities

• Duna Group's acquisition of Yellow, a language service provider and school in Poland, for cross-selling opportunities.

• Deluxe's strategic investment in Aptech, a machine translation and language AI company, aiming to be an exclusive reseller within media and entertainment globally.

• Cloudbreak Health's sale by Up Health to private equity firm GTCR for $180 million USD due to business restructuring efforts.

Notable Acquisitions

Highlighting significant acquisitions within the industry during March.

Key Acquisitions

• Deluxe becoming Aptech's exclusive reseller in media and entertainment globally showcases strategic partnerships shaping industry landscapes.

• Cloudbreak Health's acquisition by private equity firm GTCR reflects market dynamics where prime assets are divested for strategic realignment.

Strategic Business Moves

Discussing Big Word's acquisition of Clarion and TransPerfect's acquisition of The Speech.

Strategic Acquisitions

• Big Word acquiring Clarion, a British sign language interpreting provider, expanding its service offerings across sectors like legal, healthcare, education.

Detailed Discussion on Financial Updates and Industry Trends

In this section, the speaker discusses recent tests and challenges faced in enabling certain features, along with providing updates on financial performances of companies like Striker, Keywords, and Appen.

Enabling Features and Challenges

• The speaker highlights the delay in conducting a test due to activation issues.

• Mention of captions appearing without translation capability after activating a feature.

Financial Updates: Striker and Keywords

• Striker anticipates a significant revenue decline for 2024 following an update in March.

• Details about Striker's expected revenue dip of around 15-16% for the concluded financial year.

Performance of Keywords

• Keywords experienced a 7% decrease in its globalization unit's revenues in 2023.

• Despite the decline, Keywords remains a substantial organization with revenues around $300 million USD.

Takeover Bid Impact and Google Translate Update

This segment covers a failed takeover bid affecting Appen, Google Translate's discontinued human feedback tool "Contribute," and insights from Adam regarding human feedback loops.

Takeover Bid Fallout

• Discussion on a leaked takeover bid leading to its withdrawal, impacting Appen negatively.

• Notable loss of Google as one of Appen's major clients contributing to their challenges.

Discontinuation of "Contribute" by Google Translate

• Explanation of Google Translate discontinuing its human feedback tool "Contribute."

• Comparison with Facebook's similar user engagement feature for translations.

Insights on Human Feedback Loops

Success and Challenges in Language Translation

The discussion revolves around the success and challenges faced in language translation, including feedback from speakers of lower resource languages and advancements in animal communication translation projects.

Pushback from Speakers of Lower Resource Languages

• Speakers of lower resource languages provided feedback indicating that improvements were still needed in translations.

• Mention of ongoing research using machine learning to decipher animal communication for an animal-to-human translator.

Animal Communication Translation Project

• Introduction to the Earth Species Project (ESP) aiming to decode how animals communicate for an animal-to-human translator.

• Speculation on potential communication with animals like chimpanzees, tigers, dolphins, elephants, parrots, monkeys, and fish through advanced translation models.

European Commission Translation Contract Controversy

This section delves into the European Commission's recent translation contract award controversy involving a shift towards super agencies and concerns raised by individual translators.

European Commission Translation Contract Award

• Discussion on the European Commission awarding a significant contract called Trad 23 to super agencies like AOT.

• Concerns raised by English to German translators regarding decreased rates due to the shift towards super agencies.

Quality vs. Pricing Debate

• Translators express concerns about maintaining high-quality translations under new contracts like Trad 23 due to pricing issues.