With AI lurking around every corner, there’s no choice but to jump.

Into action.

You might be skeptical at first, but sooner or later you’ll stumble upon a tool that will change your mind. With a healthy dose of AI, you can transform your work, or at least, save a little bit of time and effort.

How can AI help localization and translation professionals?

There are hundreds of AI-enhanced tools on the market, each of them claiming to be the ultimate AI booster to your language projects.

Where to begin?

1. Test and compare

The simple solution is to pick several tools, sign up for a trial, and test their superpowers. You’ll need to act quickly, as most tools offer a free version only for a very limited time (e.g. 7 days). Read the in-tool tips, check the help files, and create a couple of projects to see if the AI features can improve your workflow.

If you notice any difference, rate the tool to be able to compare the results with other products, and move on to the next one.

Be aware, however. Testing can become so engaging that you might easily lose track of time. At least, that’s the black hole I fall into every time I get my hands on a new tool.

So, here’s a handy tip: cap your tool exploration at one or two hours each—unless you’re aiming for a personal best in the “Where Did My Day Go?” marathon. Try to explore 3 to 5 tools to get a useful overview, without turning your day into a never-ending test adventure.

2. Search for reviews and tutorials

If “test before invest” is not the right path for you, you can watch others testing handy tools for you. Tutorials, articles, blog posts, social media posts—ons of resources will help you decide how to spice up your work with a bit of AI.

Or not.

Endless viewing, listening, and reading might be a daunting enterprise, so probably the best option is to set yourself a “knowledge diet” limit: maybe an article a day, or a tutorial per tool, to ensure you’re enriching your mind without overloading it.

3. Listen to recommendations

Another way is to find out what other professionals have to say.

Ask for opinions and recommendations, maybe your colleagues have already discovered the world of AI and can happily guide you in the right direction. Their input can be a good addition to your findings.

Once your tests, reviews, and feedback of others give you a decent overview, analyze what fits your budget and working scenario.

Many tools are great, but not all will be great for you.

You don’t have to revolutionize all your processes, but a little bit of AI here and there might make a difference.

And if you’re ready for something more than just a simple recommendation, why not join me for a free online course Mastering Translation AI?

In this course, we will dive into the world of Large Language Models and discover how fine-tuning and context can boost your localization workflow to match your unique project demands.

Plus, you’ll discover one handy tool you probably haven’t explored yet 😊

See you in the course!

Dorota Pawlak

Dorota helps digital brands infuse their content with a local touch. She is a localization consultant, translator specialized in IT, prompt engineer, and a book author. Dorota teaches online courses on localization, writes for her blog and a Medium publication. She also runs a Small Biz AI, a Substack newsletter for freelancers and small business owners ready to discover handy AI tools.