Why AI translation still needs human editors in 2025

AI translation has become ubiquitous over the last few years. Tools like DeepL, Google Translate and ChatGPT have made translation faster and more affordable than ever. But when it comes to business-critical content, relying solely on machines can backfire. Inaccurate translations can damage reputations or even lead to legal trouble. The need for human post-editing is more relevant than ever in 2025. Let’s explore why.

AI translation accuracy hasn’t reached human standards yet

AI translation has seen major advances in recent years. What’s more, you now have more choices in how your AI translation is produced. Some engines have been around for years and use neural networks. Others are adaptive engines based on neural machine translation. And others are based on Generative AI.

However, translation accuracy and fluency still vary depending on language pairs, subject matter and context. It’s possible to influence translation accuracy to some extent by adding glossaries and pre-editing your text. Even so, AI tends behave in a haphazard way and produces inconsistent output. This means human editors remain essential for refining raw machine output into polished content.

Cultural context gets lost in machine translation

AI struggles with culture-specific language. It often misses the mark with the tone and register that’s expected in other languages. For instance, English copy produced by an American copywriter might be direct and informal. This style and tone won’t go down well in a high-context culture such as Japan. Successful communication in Japanese relies on implicit cues.

Communicating in another language demands cultural sensitivity and local knowledge. Human editors understand these subtleties. They make sure your message comes across without causing confusion or offence.

Business terminology requires human expertise

AI often mistranslates business and industry-specific terms. For example, “lead” in a marketing context differs from its use in manufacturing. If you’re a content marketing strategist for a manufacturing company, you’ll probably need to use the term “lead” in various contexts. And although in some cases it is possible to attach a glossary to refine the output, AI often misjudges which term to use in which context. For that, you need a human. Professional editors make sure that your corporate terminology is used correctly.

Legal and compliance risks of unedited AI translation

A mistranslated contract clause or regulatory term can have serious consequences. In sectors like finance and healthcare, accuracy isn’t optional – it’s mandatory. Human post-editors catch mistakes that AI misses and protect your business from costly errors.

When human post-editing makes AI translation worthwhile

Machine translation post-editing (MTPE) involves refining AI-generated translations so that they are fit for purpose. It’s ideal when:

• You need fast, cost-effective translations
• Accuracy is important
• Consistency and tone matter

At Planet Languages, our ISO-certified post-editing process ensures the final output is accurate, culturally appropriate and ready for publication.

The cost-quality balance

AI can reduce translation costs. But cost savings shouldn’t come at the risk of reputational damage. MTPE strikes a balance between speed and accuracy. It’s a smart investment for any company aiming to scale multilingual content without the risk.

Real-world impacts of poor AI translation

Some companies have faced backlash for using AI to translate their content. Take ECO4. They translated an advert about a government-backed energy efficiency scheme into Welsh using ChatGPT. The problem? The Welsh advert was riddled with mistakes. They hadn’t thought to check the accuracy of the translation with a Welsh speaker. The careless approach sparked anger across Wales. Even the promise of a free eco upgrade couldn’t appease Welsh homeowners.

These missteps erode trust and cost time and money to fix. Human editing prevents these pitfalls before they reach your audience.

ISO certification matters

Not all MTPE services are created equal. Make sure you know the difference between light post-editing and full post-editing. The ISO 18587 standard was created to set out minimum requirements for post-editing. It covers full post-editing, where the aim is to produce a translation that is indistinguishable from human output.

Planet Languages’ certification to this standard offers peace of mind. Our clients can rest assured that our post-editing services deliver consistent, fit-for-purpose results.

AI and humans: better together

AI is a powerful tool, but it’s not a silver bullet. For accurate, reliable and culturally appropriate content, human editors are indispensable. At Planet Languages, we always incorporate AI with expert human oversight. For you, that means business-ready translations, every time.

Get professional human post-editing for your AI translations. Contact Planet Languages for ISO-certified machine translation post-editing that delivers business-ready quality.

About the author

Bethan Thomas has worked in the language services industry for 20 years. She helped Planet Languages achieve certification to ISO 18587 soon after the standard was first published. This standard demonstrates commitment to incorporating AI translation into workflows responsibly.