Skip to content

Prompt engineering is the key to successful AI translations for businesses

Prompt engineering plays a crucial role in leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT in the rapidly evolving world of translations. For businesses that regularly require translations, this can mean the difference between mediocre and high-quality translations. In this blog, we will explore what makes translators excellent prompt engineers, the impact of effective prompt engineering on the quality of translations and the risks associated with the unskilled use of AI translations.

Why translators make excellent prompt engineers

Translators possess in-depth knowledge of language and context, making them highly suited to creating effective prompts for AI translations. They understand the nuances of language use, cultural differences and technical terminology, which are essential for providing AI tools with clear and accurate instructions. These skills ensure the AI understands the correct context and delivers precise translations.

The impact of effective prompt engineering

Effective prompt engineering directly influences the quality of translations. By providing clear, detailed and contextual prompts, translators can ensure that the AI interprets information correctly. This leads to translations that are not only grammatically correct but also stylistically and contextually appropriate. As a result, the translation approaches human-like perfection and better meets the client’s expectations.

The risks of unskilled use

The perils of unskilled use of AI translations are significant. When individuals lacking linguistic expertise are tasked with creating prompts and revising translations, the likelihood of misunderstandings, errors, and cultural faux pas escalates. This can lead to inaccurate translations that fail to convey the original document’s message correctly, thereby jeopardising a company’s reputation and its communication with its target audiences. It’s essential to be aware of these risks and take the necessary precautions.

Case study: the value of human expertise

One particular case vividly illustrates the indispensable role of human expertise in AI translations. A large tech company initially used AI tools to translate their manuals, with non-linguistic staff providing prompts and revisions. This led to numerous translation errors and customer complaints. However, the involvement of professional translators for prompt engineering and quality control significantly improved the translation quality, leading to greater customer satisfaction and a more efficient translation process. This example underscores the value of human expertise in AI translations.

Speed, convenience, and cost

One of the most significant advantages of AI-driven translations is their speed. Translations can be generated almost instantly, saving a considerable amount of time compared to traditional methods. This convenience also comes with lower costs, as less human labour is required for basic translations. However, by employing translators for prompt engineering and quality control, businesses can enjoy both speed and high-quality results.

Best practices for prompt engineering

At Tekom, we provide a basic style guide for clients who do not have their own. We use tools such as Cusom.mt to edit and manage AI translations within our translation environment. This approach ensures that we can perform quality control for each segment and verify that the terminology and input from the translation memory are accurately incorporated.

Conclusion: the future of translation

The future of translation is already here, with AI playing a significant role in making translation processes faster and more affordable. By combining AI and human expertise, businesses can now achieve high-quality translations in a fraction of the time and cost.

If you would like to know more?

Let us know how we can assist you with your translation challenge!

More news items

bEDANKT!

Wij hebben uw aanvraag ontvangen en gaan voor u aan de slag. U hoort van ons.

Tekom International