The Publications Office of the EU participated at the International
Annual Meeting on
Computer-Assisted Translation and Terminology (JIAMCATT) 2024,
hosted by UNESCO on 6-8 March 2024. The conference showcased the
evolving landscape of translation and terminology in the era of
artificial intelligence and digital technology. The event, attended by
an array of international organisations, European institutions and
agencies, national institutions and academic bodies underscored the
profession's shifting paradigms towards semantic technologies, AI, and
the pivotal role of reference data in the
authoring-translation-publishing (ATP) chain.
A significant highlight was the three rounds of demos titled
"Semantic synergy: Empowering AI through controlled vocabularies
and terminologies based on semantic technologies", conducted by
colleagues from OP.A.1. These sessions, attended by over 90% of the
attendees, underscored the growing interest for the role of semantic
technologies in enhancing AI's effectiveness. The demos showcased how
controlled vocabularies and terminologies could be harnessed to
improve the accuracy and relevance of AI-powered translation tools,
thus marking a significant innovation in the field.
Another focal point was the presentation on "Semantic
integration: Advancing translation and terminology management in the
AI era", also delivered by OP.A.1. This presentation drew high
interest and spurred numerous inquiries, reflecting the professional
community's keen interest in integrating semantic technologies into
terminology and knowledge management. The discourse around this topic
highlighted the potential for semantic integration to streamline
translation workflows, enhance consistency across documents, and
ultimately elevate the quality of multilingual content.
The presentation on "AKN4EU: Interoperability framework for
legal information in the EU" (OP.A.1) further captured the
audience's attention, spotlighting the necessity and benefits of
establishing interoperable standards for legal information across the
European Union. This initiative is in line with a similar UN
initiative and the LEOS/EdIT projects, and viewed as a groundbreaking
step toward simplifying the legal information exchange and enhancing
the accessibility and reliability of legal documents in multiple languages.
Insights from JIAMCATT 2024 emphasise the importance of adopting
semantic technologies and AI to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of
language professionals, highlighting the need for continuous
innovation and collaboration across the authoring, translation and
publishing ecosystem. The conference showcased how semantic
technologies improve content integration, while AI supports linguistic
tasks, underscoring the value of staying abreast of technological
advancements and fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and experimentation.
The recommendations from JIAMCATT 2024 stress the promotion of
multilingualism and inclusivity through technology, the development of
a unified framework for AI deployment, and greater alignment between
IT and language professionals. It calls for support to smaller
organisations in technology adaptation, exploration of AI’s broader
applications, proactive engagement in technology adoption by language
services, a comprehensive overview of the technological landscape, and
regular information-sharing sessions to leverage collective knowledge
within the JIAMCATT community.