by: Rosetta Guo
Rosetta Guo (TLM ’25) shares her research with ChatGPT and localization practices.
Hello, fellow localization enthusiasts!
I’m Rosetta Guo, MA candidate in Translation and Localization Management. I recently embarked on an enlightening research journey exploring the integration of AI in localization. I’m excited to share my experiences and insights, hoping to inspire and guide those of you who are just starting out in this fascinating field.
My Research Focus:
The research delved into optimizing the performance of ChatGPT-4 for translation and summarization tasks. I concentrated on how effectively designed prompts and style guides could enhance AI’s translation accuracy. Conducted over two months, my study revealed significant insights into the evolving role of AI in localization.
Key Challenges Throughout the Journey:
- Be Reflective When Interacting with AI: In an era where initiating a new chat with AI has become second nature, I’ve learned the importance of meticulously recording and analyzing my interactions with Chat GPT. It’s crucial to maintain a thoughtful and critical perspective. As subject matter experts, our insights into the dynamics of human-AI interaction are valuable, especially in a world that is still grappling with apprehensions about AI. Remember, your informed views on this relationship are essential — the world, amidst its concerns about AI, needs to hear from experts like you.
- Redefine the Role of Machine Translation (MT) and AI: Instead of pondering whether MT will replace humans, I’ve shifted my focus to more constructive questions. I aim to understand which tasks MT can effectively handle and those where human intervention remains irreplaceable. This perspective change leads to a more pragmatic approach to AI integration in my field.
Advice for Junior Students:
- Stay Curious.
- Embrace new technologies and be open to unconventional methods.
- Reframe the question from Will Machine Translation replace humans? to For which tasks might Machine Translation replace humans, and for which will it not?
- Dare to pioneer new “best practices” and standards in areas where they don’t yet exist.
- Seek external guidance and build networks
Concluding Thoughts:
My journey in AI-assisted localization research was both challenging and rewarding. It pushed me to think critically, adapt, and innovate. For those of you pursuing a career in translation and localization, I encourage you to explore how AI can reshape the industry. Remember, the future of localization is not just about understanding languages; it’s about how to integrate technology to break down linguistic barriers more effectively.
Happy translating!