AI in Translation: Interpro’s Consent-First Policy for Quality, Privacy, and Transparency

AI can enhance the efficiency of translation workflows when included as part of a transparent strategy between translation provider and client, and paired with human oversight and ethical practices. This article outlines Interpro’s approach to translating with AI to keep our clients informed of its advantages and disadvantages.  Interpro will not use AI for translation unless specifically approved for use by our clients.

AI Translation is Changing the Industry

Artificial intelligence is transforming the translation industry. While machine translation tools have been around since the 1950s, more modern technology, such as DeepL, are increasingly becoming part of daily business workflows. For companies aiming to scale multilingual content quickly and affordably, AI offers a tempting promise: speed, accessibility, and cost savings. But this efficiency comes with caveats. 

Teams are all asking the same questions about AI translation:

• Do we still need human translators?
• Will AI translation affect pricing?
• How do I know if AI was used to translate my content?
• What are the risks of using AI for translation?
• Can I opt out of AI translation?
• How can we take advantage of AI translation but make sure it’s accurate?

Jump to:

• Interpro’s Ethical AI Translation Policy (what it means in practice)
• Mitigating AI Translation Risk: How to Choose an Ethical Partner
• Setting Up a Responsible AI Translation Workflow

Without consultative expertise and human linguistic oversight, AI translations can easily compromise brand integrity, introduce errors, or expose organizations to legal risk. As demand for AI-assisted translation grows, so does the need for transparency from your translation service provider to disclose when AI is used in translation, ensure the translation output is of high-quality, and that it reflects the original message intent.

Definition: An ethical AI translation policy is a consent-first, transparent approach that discloses when AI will be used, protects data privacy, and requires human review to ensure linguistic quality and brand integrity.

Why transparency matters now:

Clients deserve to know when AI is in the loop, what it will do, and how their data will be protected. Risk-based adoption and clear disclosure align with global guidance on trustworthy AI and transparency obligations (e.g., EU AI Act Article 50; NIST AI RMF). Interpro’s stance is simple: no AI without consent, ever.

Interpro’s Ethical AI Translation Policy (what it means in practice)

Read Interpro’s complete AI translation policy, but here’s what it means:

Informed consent & disclosure

• We discuss AI options during intake and document your decision. No AI is used without your written approval.
• We specify scope (content types, languages, risk level) and expected review steps.

Human-in-the-loop (MTPE)

• Our professional linguists post-edit any AI output to ensure accuracy, fluency, tone, and brand voice.
• We make recommendations based on the AI services to build a responsible workflow by knowing when AI fits (and when it doesn’t).

Data protection & platform selection

• We only use professional translation tools for security and protection of your private materials; we do not send confidential data to public models.
• Translators are evaluated for security certifications and data handling (e.g., ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2; HIPAA when applicable)
• We log consent decisions, system choices, and QA outcomes for auditability.

Mitigating AI Translation Risk: How to Choose an Ethical Partner

If you’re seeking to implement AI translation into your localization workflow, consider the following risks of using AI for translation, and ensure your provider meets your expectations.

Transparency

Clients and internal stakeholders should always be informed when AI is part of the translation process. Transparency builds trust and sets realistic expectations for quality, especially when AI output is enhanced by human post-editing. 

We’ve seen time and time again that AI is appropriate for some things and not for others. Some content types, such as those found in technical documents, do very well with AI translation. A translation partner like Interpro will be able to provide recommendations on when AI translation is a cost or time-efficient solution.

How do I know if AI was used to translate?

It can be difficult to know if AI was used to produce a translation, especially if you don’t speak the native language. It is much easier and more important to work with a language partner that is transparent and discloses their AI translation policy before work begins.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Professional translation agencies should protect sensitive, proprietary, and confidential content and only translate using secure, controlled AI models within a closed-loop workflow.

Interpro only uses industry standard AI translation technology that keeps your confidential information secure. Our team operates as if we are under an NDA, even if there is not one in place, and that extends to our AI translation technology too.

We don’t ever recommend placing confidential, proprietary, or sensitive information into a public AI model. Translating with AI platforms like ChatGPT may result in your information being saved for model improvement unless data-sharing is explicitly disabled. For regulated industries this can introduce compliance risks. 

Machine Translation Post Editing (Human Linguist Review)

AI is not a replacement for professional translation. Rather, it is a tool that can support the work of expert linguists. Human-in-the-loop workflows are essential for:

• Cultural nuance: AI doesn’t fully grasp idiomatic expressions, regional sensitivities, or audience expectations the way a trained linguist does.
• Accuracy: AI may often translate basic terms incorrectly particularly in technical, medical, or legal contexts.
• Consistency: Training AI models on specific terminology across documents and campaigns.

At Interpro, every project involving AI includes thorough machine translation post-editing (MTPE) by professional, human linguists.

Our team evaluates raw machine output for meaning, fluency, tone, and brand voice. MTPE corrects errors and enhances clarity. We also apply domain-specific knowledge to ensure the final translation is not just technically correct, but formatted for your file type or platform.

Do I need human translators?

The role of the professional human translator is shifting, but professional experts who can manage the AI translation process are still critical.

AI Translation Pricing

One of the most common reasons organizations explore AI-assisted translation is price. And it’s true: under the right circumstances, AI translation can reduce costs. But understanding when and where those savings actually apply is key.

At Interpro, we’ve seen that long-term translation strategies have always offered clients meaningful cost savings. These efficiencies have been a hallmark of professional translation services for decades. Strategic partnership paired with AI translation workflows generally results in cost savings that compounds over time. 

AI-assisted translation can be a great fit and cost-effective choice for many industries, content types, or languages. Our team will help you navigate your AI service options to make the best quality and cost effective solution.

At Interpro, our goal is to help you make informed decisions to help you choose the right translation service for your project. We’ll show you when AI translation offers real savings and when a traditional approach is a better investment. And as always, we’ll help you plan ahead to make your long-term translation strategy more cost-effective.

Brand Alignment

Language is an extension of your brand. AI doesn’t know your company’s style guide, tone, or preferred terminology. Without strategic guidance, AI-generated content can dilute your message or offend in a different language.

Best Practices for Brand Alignment when using AI:

• Use custom glossaries and style guides to inform AI prompts.
• Train the AI technology to generate translations that require less human-review over time.
• Implement a review process that includes brand managers and native speaker reviewers.

Interpro supports clients by offering translation glossary and style guide development to support voice consistency, even when AI tools are used in the translation workflow. 

AI and Sustainability

To support AI translation services, Interpro uses industry-standard AI translation technology. AI has made translation workflows faster and more scalable, but it also raises important questions about energy consumption and sustainability. At Interpro, we occasionally receive inquiries about the environmental impact of using AI translation tools. While we are not an authority on AI sustainability research, we understand that this is an emerging area of concern for responsible businesses. 

Some developers of machine translation (MT) engines, which are distinct from large language models (LLMs) or emerging small language models (SLMs), have begun taking steps toward more sustainable practices. You can learn more directly from these translation technology providers about how they’re addressing energy use and environmental impact:

• Learn how institutions are approaching AI sustainability in this blog from the Jisc National Centre for AI in Education. It covers the pros, cons, and future considerations of using AI.
• The IEEE Computer Society has published research and commentary on sustainable Future of AI Language Models and the broader environmental impact of AI language models, offering insights into the computational trade-offs involved in developing and deploying these systems. 

Setting Up a Responsible AI Translation Workflow

To responsibly integrate AI into your translation process, follow these steps:

1. Identify content type and risk level: Use AI for non-sensitive, high-volume, low-risk content
2. Configure secure AI tools: Use private NMTs or local deployments to protect data
3. Train the AI on your terminology: Incorporate glossaries and TMs into prompts
4. Apply professional post-editing: Use expert linguists to edit and review the machine output
5. Quality Assurance: Ensure translation accuracy, nuance, and compliance
6. Stay updated on AI regulations: Monitor evolving legal standards around AI and data usage.

Interpro’s team of experts can help you choose AI language services based on your challenges:

• AI Translation delivers fast, cost-effective translations using advanced artificial intelligence while maintaining high linguistic quality.
• AI Translation Consulting provides expert guidance on integrating AI-powered translation solutions into your business processes for maximum efficiency.
• AI Multimedia Localization adapts audio, video, and interactive content for global audiences using AI-enhanced tools and workflows.
• AI Event Interpreting enables real-time multilingual communication at events through AI-driven interpreting technology and professional oversight.
• Machine Translation Post Editing refines AI-generated translations through expert human editing to ensure accuracy, tone, and cultural relevance.

Need help implementing AI for translation?

Set up a reliable, ethical AI translation workflow with Interpro here to guide you. Schedule a consultation today to start translating smarter.

As a consultative translation partner, Interpro has guided organizations across industries (including healthcare, education, and nonprofit associations) through the complexities of integrating AI into their translation workflows.

FAQs: Ethical AI in translation

Will Interpro ever use AI without my approval?

No. We only use AI after you opt in and the scope is documented.

How do you protect confidential content?

We avoid public models for sensitive data and use secure, access-controlled systems with strong vendor due-diligence.

Why keep humans in the loop?

Professional linguists ensure accuracy, cultural nuance, and brand voice especially for technical or high-stakes content.

Which standards guide your approach?

We align with ISO 17100 for translation quality processes; consider ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 for security; and follow HIPAA where applicable. We also track EU AI Act transparency duties and NIST’s AI RMF for risk management.

Resources:
EU AI Act transparency ·
NIST AI RMF ·
ISO 17100 ·
ISO/IEC 27001 ·
SOC 2 ·
HIPAA Privacy Rule

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