Interviewer: Today, we’re speaking with Pasquale*, a freelancer with years of experience in translation, copywriting, and natural language processing. Pasquale, can you tell us about your work and how artificial intelligence plays a role in what you do?
*This interview is part of an extensive study on artificial intelligence conducted by Jonathan and Ylenia, aiming to explore how professionals and companies are integrating these innovative tools into their activities. The goal is not only to assess the interviewees’ technological expertise but also to understand how AI can enhance or transform daily operations. The following is a reconstruction of one of the informal discussions conducted as part of this research.
Pasquale: I’ve been freelancing since 2015, primarily working as a translator, interpreter, and copywriter in both English and Italian. I collaborate with international clients, especially in the entertainment, music, and natural language processing sectors, which aligns with my academic specialization. I often assist companies in analyzing datasets to train machine translation engines, such as Google Translate. In my work, I frequently use artificial intelligence tools to optimize and accelerate translation and copywriting processes.
Artificial Intelligence in Copywriting: Tools and Approach
Interviewer: That’s fascinating! So, AI is already integrated into your processes. How do you use it?
Pasquale: I mainly use it for copywriting. For instance, I rely on ChatGPT to brainstorm and explore ideas and angles for a project. If I need to outline a blog article, ChatGPT helps me structure the content into sections like H2 and H3 headings. However, I write the paragraphs myself. I don’t fully trust AI to create entire content pieces—I prefer to add my personal touch and ensure the tone of voice aligns with the message I want to convey.
Interviewer: I assume you use detailed prompts to explain the context?
Pasquale: Exactly. I explain the article’s purpose, target audience, and goals, specifying whether it’s a guide, a review, or promotional content. ChatGPT helps me identify areas to delve deeper into, especially after conducting keyword research on SEMrush. This way, I can structure headers and incorporate relevant keywords.
AI in Translation: Tools and Limitations
Interviewer: Beyond copywriting, do you use AI tools for translation as well?
Pasquale: Yes, I also use them for reviewing translations, particularly from Italian to English or Spanish. I find ChatGPT more useful than DeepL or Google Translate for shorter tasks, where I can utilize it without needing to create complex projects in CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools. CAT tools like Phrase or Matecat are my go-to software for technical or repetitive translations, as they allow me to build glossaries and Translation Memories.
Interviewer: Do you find limitations when using AI for translation?
Pasquale: Yes, the main limitation is that generic AI tools don’t save custom technical terms. With CAT tools, I can build a glossary that automatically updates with client-specific terminology. With AI, this level of personalization still requires manual intervention. However, for short or non-technical translations, ChatGPT is a great support for speed and accuracy.
Machine Translation Post-Editing and the Future of Translation
Interviewer: How do you see the future of translation with these tools evolving?
Pasquale: Translation is moving toward Machine Translation Post-Editing (MTPE), where translators edit machine-generated translations. Large providers like TransPerfect and Translated prefer MTPE because it reduces costs—a post-editing job can be paid less than half the rate of human translation. This is transforming the market: on one hand, it makes translation more accessible and faster; on the other, it lowers rates for translators. It’s a new challenge for professionals in this field, requiring adaptability to remain competitive and efficient.
Interviewer: That sounds like a significant shift. Do you see any benefits for translators?
Pasquale: Certainly, especially in terms of speed. Projects take less time, allowing you to handle more work. However, the downside is that lower rates may offset the productivity gains. Even if you take on more projects, reduced pay-per-word doesn’t always result in higher earnings. Additionally, maintaining a high level of quality is crucial, as AI alone can’t always guarantee the standard clients expect without human oversight.
Pain Points: Billing and Administration
Interviewer: Are there repetitive tasks you’d like to automate?
Pasquale: Definitely billing! I’d love for the entire invoicing process to be automatic, but in Italy, bureaucracy complicates things a bit. I use Aruba’s electronic invoicing service, which helps generate invoices and gives my accountant direct access, but it still takes time and attention. An ideal system would automatically handle billing and payments once a project is completed.
Interviewer: Do you use any other tools to simplify administrative tasks?
Pasquale: Not many. Some freelancers use services like Fisco Zen, but I prefer working with an accountant. Automating the entire invoicing process would be a huge advantage.
Organizing Ideas and Creativity with AI
Interviewer: You mentioned managing creative ideas. Do you think AI could assist with that?
Pasquale: Absolutely. I’d love a database that archives my creative ideas, tagging them by category or type. It would help avoid losing valuable insights and organize projects better. Tools like Notion and Obsidian are helpful, but an AI that automatically organizes thoughts and connects them to similar ideas or past projects would be game-changing. Structuring ideas systematically would enhance creative efficiency and make it easier to find inspiration for future projects without losing track of important concepts.
Lessons Learned and Future Outlook
- AI as a Creative and Productive Tool: Artificial intelligence can accelerate content creation and translation processes while keeping human oversight for final quality assurance.
- MTPE and the Future of Translation: The industry is shifting toward post-editing machine translations, making services more accessible but challenging traditional translation rates.
- Administrative Challenges: Billing and administration remain repetitive tasks that AI could simplify, although bureaucracy poses hurdles.
- AI as an Organizational Tool: There’s a growing need for AI-driven apps to archive and organize creative ideas, improving efficiency and inspiration for future projects.
What’s Next?
Now that you’ve read this interview, you can:
- Share your opinion by leaving a comment below!
- Participate in our study by offering yourself for an interview… reach out to us!
- Contact us for a consultation on how to leverage AI tools to enhance your work, whether as a professional or within your company.
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