I Hate AI, just kidding

For anyone involved in the world of translation and localisation, especially within life sciences, artificial intelligence (AI) is nothing new. At RWS, we've been leveraging AI technologies for years, and it has been fundamental to the advancement of our language and content technology portfolio. Despite AI's longstanding presence, its current status as a buzzword is diluting the real message that life sciences professionals need to receive loud and clear: AI is a highly valuable tool that, when deployed correctly, will provide users real benefits across the regulatory content lifecycle. 

AI in translation isn't a recent development. Technologies like machine translation (MT) and neural networks have been enhancing our work for quite some time. At RWS, we've integrated AI into our processes to improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, consistency, and scalability. These advancements have been particularly crucial in the life sciences sector, where precision and reliability are non-negotiable. 

The recent buzz around AI has created some significant challenges, including setting overinflated expectations around the capabilities it can reliably provide today. Many believe that AI can deliver perfect translations without any human input, which is simply not the case. AI’s superpower is the speed at which it can process large volumes of text quickly and with consistency. While it does still lack the cultural nuance and contextual understanding that human translators bring to the table it does allow us to accelerate the initial steps of the process to merely a blink of an eye. Then we bring in the human element to ensure quality is up to scratch and that all procedures are respected in terms of compliance and patient safety. 

Another issue is the overshadowing of human expertise. The excitement around AI sometimes leads to the erroneous belief that human translators are no longer necessary. In reality, while AI can handle routine and repetitive tasks, it is the human linguists who ensure the quality and accuracy needed in life sciences translations. The complexity and sensitivity of medical texts, regulatory documents, and clinical trial materials require a level of expertise and judgment that AI simply cannot replicate. 

The buzz around AI is in danger of leading some of the more adventurous life sciences professionals down a perilous path of deploying an AI tool without the safety net of a language specialist partner - a partner who understands how to use this new technology tool to its best advantage to achieve compliant translations for the current regulatory requirements while avoiding the pitfalls. At RWS, we know that quality translations are not just about converting words from one language to another; they are about conveying the correct meaning, maintaining regulatory compliance, and ensuring patient safety. That’s why we celebrate one of our key differentiators in the market: our global network of in-house language specialists who provide personalised and industry-specific language services. 

To truly benefit from AI, we need to strike the right balance. At RWS, we view AI as a powerful tool that aids our translators, not as a replacement. By combining the strengths of AI and human expertise, we can achieve the best outcomes. This is the essence of our "human in the loop" approach, where AI handles the initial translation tasks, and skilled linguists review and refine the output to ensure the highest quality. We also invest in continuous training for our language specialists to ensure they can effectively use AI tools, enhancing their work without compromising quality. 

It's also crucial to set realistic expectations with our clients and stakeholders. We need to educate them about what AI can and cannot do and emphasize the continued importance of human expertise in delivering high-quality translations. Our aim is to remain the world’s most trusted language service and technology provider and key to this approach is partnering with our client base and agreeing realistic expectations. 

In the life sciences sector, where the stakes are incredibly high, this balanced approach is even more critical. Our work at RWS is a testament to the effective integration of AI and human expertise, ensuring that we continue to deliver the best possible outcomes for our clients and, ultimately, for the patients who rely on accurate and reliable information. 

We are continually advancing our offerings to meet the changing needs of the industry. Our new solution, Evolve, leverages the best of AI and human expertise to deliver unparalleled translation quality and efficiency. This innovative approach ensures that we stay ahead of industry trends and continue to provide exceptional service to our clients. 

So, while the buzz around AI can be frustrating, it's important to remember its true value and limitations. AI is here to stay, and when used correctly, it can significantly enhance our work. But let's not forget the irreplaceable value of the human touch in translation and localization, especially in life sciences. 

RWS ensures that this is kept front of mind in the development of our AI Evolve platform. This initiative not only showcases our innovative approach but also reaffirms our dedication to creating a more connected, patient-centric environment. For an in-depth view of our AI-driven projects and their implications for the future of life sciences communication, you can explore our Life Sciences page and resources.