How Translators Keep Relevance in a Post-Gen AI Society

I've rarely seen a session at the ATA (American Translators Association) with the level of audience engagement we witnessed in this talk at ATA 52 in Portland—it was incredible!

With a packed room and people standing all around, it was clear that the topic of fair pay in the age of AI is crucial for translators.

As AI tools improve and reduce the need for edits, translators are left with important questions:

- How can they be fairly paid for the unique quality they add?

- Will the roles of translator, editor, and proofreader blend into one?

- How can we measure the real impact of a translation?

- How can translators access insights to show the value of their work?

This discussion wasn’t about introducing new ideas, but about bringing translators together to explore practical solutions for a profession we all value deeply.