There’s no escaping the conversation about AI. It’s reshaping industries across the board, and translation is no exception. So where does that leave a company like UNO Translations + Communications? Right where we’ve always been: partnering human expertise with the best available technology.

AI Translation Has Come a Long Way

Machine translation isn’t new. Google Translate launched nearly two decades ago. But the landscape in 2026 looks dramatically different than it did even two years ago.

Today’s tools go beyond basic word-for-word substitution. Large Language Models like ChatGPT and Claude now understand context and tone in ways that seemed impossible a few years back. Dedicated platforms like DeepL have refined their neural networks to produce remarkably natural-sounding output. Google Translate now supports 249+ languages.

So yes, AI translation has gotten better. Much better. But “better” doesn’t mean “perfect,” and for high-stakes communication, the gap between those two words matters enormously.

Picture This

The computers onboard commercial airliners are remarkably capable. They handle navigation, avoid traffic and weather, and can even execute landings. But would you board a flight without a pilot?

AI translation works the same way. The technology is impressive, but the outcome without human oversight can be unsettling at best and damaging at worst.

Even the best AI tools miss things that human translators catch instinctively: cultural nuances that don’t translate literally, idioms that sound awkward when rendered word-for-word, industry-specific terminology that requires domain expertise, and tone appropriate for your specific audience.

Then there are the outright errors: odd word choices, offensive phrasing, or “hallucinations” where AI confidently produces incorrect information. In business, legal, medical, or marketing contexts, these mistakes aren’t just embarrassing; they can be costly or even dangerous.

The Winning Formula: Human Translators + AI Tools

At UNO, we’ve always believed that the answer lies in a balanced approach. That philosophy has only become more relevant as AI capabilities have grown.

Our professional translators leverage technology to provide consistent, accurate, and culturally sensitive translations. Because a human is at the helm, your specific audience and their culture guide final decisions rather than statistics or algorithms.

How Professional Translators Use Technology

Professional translators don’t reject AI; they harness it strategically. Our translators use Computer Assisted Translation Tools (CAT Tools) that identify repeated phrases for consistency, build translation memories that grow with each project, and maintain client-specific terminology across teams. The result? Your messaging stays accurate and culturally appropriate while turnaround times stay efficient.

When AI-Only Translation Falls Short

For certain content types, AI-only translation simply isn’t worth the risk:

•            Legal documents where precision is non-negotiable

•            Medical content where errors could harm health

•            Marketing and brand messaging where tone and cultural resonance drive results

•            Technical documentation where clarity prevents accidents

•            Financial services where regulatory compliance matters

In each case, the cost of an AI error far exceeds the cost of professional human translation.

Stand Out in a Machine-Generated World

As AI translation becomes more accessible, more organizations will rely on it. Much of that content will sound generic, miss cultural marks, or contain subtle errors that erode trust.

How will you stand out? By putting a professional translator at the controls. By capturing your brand voice and translating it authentically into the languages your customers speak.

Ready to Get Started?

UNO Translations + Communications partners with professional translators and editors working in over 250 languages. We combine human expertise with the best available technology to deliver translations that are accurate, culturally sensitive, and true to your brand. Let us help you add the human touch to your next project. Send us a message and we’ll take it from there.