AI can translate words, but doesn't bear responsibility, experts say

At a conference organized by the Literature Translation Institute (LTI) Korea, experts discussed the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in literary translation and the responsibility that translators should bear in their work. While AI can translate words quickly, panelists emphasized that translation is not merely a mechanical process of transferring meaning from one language to another.

Instead, it involves taking responsibility for the cultural and ethical choices embedded in the work. Lee Sang-bin, a professor of English interpretation and translation at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, argued that a translator's role goes beyond copying meaning, as they must respond to the words of the author. Stine An, a Korean American literary translator and poet, and novelist-translator Moon Ji-hyuk also participated in the discussion, focusing on how translators should use AI and what aspects of translation should remain human-led.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.