Poll: As a language professional I think about AI as...
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ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
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May 6, 2025

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "As a language professional I think about AI as...".

This poll was originally submitted by Vladimir Dubisskiy. View the poll results »



 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Португалија
Local time: 16:17
Член (2007)
англиски на португалски
+ ...
A tool May 6, 2025

I think about AI as just another tool in the toolbox, one that I’ll occasionally reach for, but only with great caution (like all tools humans create, can be used for good or bad). I think about it as I think about Wikipedia, social media and the Internet – it’s useful, but I can’t overly trust. Just as an example, recently a colleague and I were looking for a very unusual surname in Portuguese. I went to Google and found that the surname had last been used in 1881, while my colleague as... See more
I think about AI as just another tool in the toolbox, one that I’ll occasionally reach for, but only with great caution (like all tools humans create, can be used for good or bad). I think about it as I think about Wikipedia, social media and the Internet – it’s useful, but I can’t overly trust. Just as an example, recently a colleague and I were looking for a very unusual surname in Portuguese. I went to Google and found that the surname had last been used in 1881, while my colleague asked ChatGPT, which told her that the surname did not exist...Collapse


Sandra Boca
Heather Oland
Annette Fehr
Philip Lees
neilmac
 
Ines Radionovas-Lagoutte, PhD
Ines Radionovas-Lagoutte, PhD  Identity Verified
Германија
Local time: 17:17
Член (2008)
англиски на германски
+ ...
Pest or nuisance May 6, 2025

Is there a difference between a pest and a nuisance?

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Alex Lichanow
Thayenga
P.L.F. Persi (X)
ipv
Maria Laura Curzi
Rabie El Magdouli
 
Alex Lichanow
Alex Lichanow
Германија
Local time: 17:17
англиски на германски
+ ...
A tool... May 6, 2025

...for tools.

Daryo
 
Constanze Deus-Konrad
Constanze Deus-Konrad  Identity Verified
Германија
Local time: 17:17
француски на германски
+ ...
not in professional context May 6, 2025

Absolutely nice tool to get a rough idea about new languages you want to learn at beginner level (I am experimenting with Bahasa), but for professional translators, it's a pest, as it destroys the profession.

Ines Radionovas-Lagoutte, PhD
Liena V.
neilmac
 
Rachel Waddington
Rachel Waddington  Identity Verified
Обединето Кралство
Local time: 16:17
холандски на англиски
+ ...
. May 6, 2025

Why are there options for both 'pest' and 'nuisance' (which are synonyms) and none for 'threat'?

writeaway
Dan Lucas
Ines Radionovas-Lagoutte, PhD
Alex Lichanow
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Thayenga
Jennifer Levey
 
Dr Poonam Valera
Dr Poonam Valera
Индија
Local time: 20:47
англиски на гујарати
+ ...
ЛОКАЛИЗАТОР НА САЈТОТ
Viewing AI as a Tool: A Language Professional’s Perspective May 6, 2025

Viewing AI as a Tool: A Language Professional’s Perspective
The statement “As a language professional, I think about AI as a tool” conveys a balanced and pragmatic view of artificial intelligence, particularly within language-based professions such as writing, editing, translation, teaching, and linguistic research. It reflects an understanding of AI not as a replacement for human expertise but as a means of enhancing and supporting it.

Understanding the Concept:
W
... See more
Viewing AI as a Tool: A Language Professional’s Perspective
The statement “As a language professional, I think about AI as a tool” conveys a balanced and pragmatic view of artificial intelligence, particularly within language-based professions such as writing, editing, translation, teaching, and linguistic research. It reflects an understanding of AI not as a replacement for human expertise but as a means of enhancing and supporting it.

Understanding the Concept:
When language professionals refer to AI as a "tool," they underscore its role as a complementary technology that enhances efficiency, accuracy, and creativity without supplanting human insight and judgment. This perspective recognizes that while AI can significantly assist in language-related tasks, it ultimately operates under human direction and ethical oversight.

Key Reasons Behind This Viewpoint:
1. Enhanced Efficiency in Routine Tasks
AI streamlines repetitive or time-consuming processes such as grammar correction, proofreading, formatting, and basic translation. Tools like Grammarly, Google Translate, and text summarizers allow professionals to work more quickly and effectively.

Why it matters:
By automating routine elements, AI frees professionals to concentrate on nuanced, strategic, or creative aspects of their work, such as tone, audience engagement, and content development.

2. Support, Not Substitution, for Human Judgment
Language is deeply contextual and emotionally nuanced. While AI can generate drafts or suggestions, it often lacks the sensitivity to tone, intention, and cultural relevance.

Why it matters:
Human professionals ensure that communication is appropriate, precise, and contextually accurate—capabilities AI has yet to fully master.

3. AI as an Educational Companion
For teachers, learners, and writers, AI can function as an accessible, always-available assistant—offering grammar feedback, writing suggestions, or explanations on demand.

Why it matters:
This scalable support system enhances learning and skill development, particularly where one-on-one instruction is not readily available.

4. The Need for Ethical and Creative Oversight
AI tools can occasionally produce biased, inappropriate, or factually incorrect content. Professionals are responsible for ensuring outputs are accurate, fair, and aligned with ethical standards.

Why it matters:
As with any tool, responsible use depends on the skill and integrity of the user. Human oversight remains essential to maintain quality and credibility.

5. The Importance of a Constructive Mindset
Embracing AI as a tool—not a threat—empowers professionals to engage with the technology productively and adapt it to their needs.

Why it matters:
This mindset fosters innovation, continuous learning, and resilience in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
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Thayenga
Thayenga  Identity Verified
Германија
Local time: 17:17
Член (2009)
англиски на германски
+ ...
Pest and nuisance May 6, 2025

Ines Radionovas-Lagoutte, PhD wrote:

Is there a difference between a pest and a nuisance?


Well, a nuisance is aggrevating while THE pest is lethal.

On the more serious side, AI is simply annoying and, by many, unwanted.

[Edited at 2025-05-06 16:20 GMT]


Liena V.
P.L.F. Persi (X)
Maria Laura Curzi
Rabie El Magdouli
 
Jean Dimitriadis
Jean Dimitriadis  Identity Verified
англиски на француски
+ ...
AI's take on AI? May 6, 2025

Dr Poonam Valera wrote:


There is more than a little irony—and perhaps a hint of poor judgment—in relying on AI to answer a question about your professional assessment of AI.


Liena V.
Sebastian Witte
P.L.F. Persi (X)
Zea_Mays
Maria Laura Curzi
Dan Lucas
Simon Turner
 
Oscar Núñez Alfaro
Oscar Núñez Alfaro  Identity Verified
Костарика
Local time: 09:17
англиски на шпански
+ ...
a tool. May 6, 2025

I think that we are still the center. We use AI to improve our lives as professionals despite being used wrongly and limitlessly.

 
Liena V.
Liena V.  Identity Verified
Летонија
Local time: 18:17
Член (2014)
француски на латвиски
+ ...
a nuisance and a pest May 6, 2025

I was just having a long weekend outside the country and was forced to rely on Google navigation for driving directions, the voice instructions were so awful I could barely stand them. No grammar and no logic to the point they were almost useless, but at least some corporate money was saved on translation.
The other day I was also researching some plastic materials for work and was puzzled about the frequent mention of pets on an official website until it dawned on me they meant PETs. Good
... See more
I was just having a long weekend outside the country and was forced to rely on Google navigation for driving directions, the voice instructions were so awful I could barely stand them. No grammar and no logic to the point they were almost useless, but at least some corporate money was saved on translation.
The other day I was also researching some plastic materials for work and was puzzled about the frequent mention of pets on an official website until it dawned on me they meant PETs. Good to be a translator and know it!
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P.L.F. Persi (X)
Lingua 5B
Rabie El Magdouli
neilmac
 
Gjorgji Apostolovski
Gjorgji Apostolovski  Identity Verified
Македонија
Local time: 17:17
англиски на македонски
+ ...
How about them... May 6, 2025

How about, what AI developers think about AI?

I'm pretty sure that nobody asked for AI, right? They just pushed it.
Now, everything has AI not just translation sector, everything from production to payments services with hand sensors. AI developers, whole countries are now investing big money in AI infrastructures. So my question is for what they are using it actually?

For them is a substitute for humans. (workers)


Yesterday I opened my weathe
... See more
How about, what AI developers think about AI?

I'm pretty sure that nobody asked for AI, right? They just pushed it.
Now, everything has AI not just translation sector, everything from production to payments services with hand sensors. AI developers, whole countries are now investing big money in AI infrastructures. So my question is for what they are using it actually?

For them is a substitute for humans. (workers)


Yesterday I opened my weather app, and it says that it can't find appropriate station for pollution data nearby and in return it will use AI data.
And now what should I do? Should I believe that data or have a second thought about it?
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Nicholas Boline
neilmac
Alex Lichanow
 


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Poll: As a language professional I think about AI as...






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