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Despite Rising Investments in AI, Manual Translation Processes Slow Companies

The integration of AI technologies into business operations has shown promising potential for improving efficiency, yet many companies still rely on traditional manual translation processes that hinder performance. This phenomenon is highlighted in the newly released Language AI Report 2026 by DeepL, a leading AI research and product development organization.

In the past few years, there has been an increased commitment to AI investments across sectors. Nevertheless, a concerning percentage of global business operations continue to rely on outdated manual workflows for critical functions, particularly in translation. The report surveyed over 5,000 executives in countries such as the USA, UK, France, Germany, and Japan to investigate how multilingual workflows are organized and managed in the context of AI advancements.

Key Findings and Insights

The 2026 report outlines several critical insights regarding the state of translation processes in the corporate landscape:

• - Manual Methods Persist: 32% of German executives and 35% globally continue to use entirely manual translation processes. This indicates that a significant number of businesses have yet to transition to more modern solutions despite acknowledging the inefficiencies of manual methods.
• - Automated Solutions in Use: While 37% of respondents utilize traditional automated translation systems, such systems often require human quality checks, which can still slow down workflows. This highlights a continued reliance on human oversight, even within automated frameworks.
• - AI Adoption Challenges: A mere 14% of companies have adopted next-generation AI tools for translations, such as Large Language Models (LLMs), with 86% still needing to initiate this transition. This underscores a substantial gap in adopting cutting-edge technology that could radically streamline translation processes.
• - Drivers of Change: Interestingly, 31% of executives indicated that international expansion is the primary driver for investing in AI solutions, asserting the crucial role that effective communication plays in global business growth.

As Jarek Kutylowski, CEO and founder of DeepL, states, "AI is ubiquitous, yet productivity remains elusive. While many organizations are beginning to implement AI in isolated applications, they fail to achieve widespread productivity gains due to ongoing reliance on manual processes. Enhancing AI models is critical, but redefining the underlying processes is equally important."

The Role of Translation in Business

Translation impacts multiple facets of business operations. According to the report:

• - Sales and Marketing: 26% of executives recognized translation as vital for supporting sales and marketing activities.
• - Customer Support: 23% highlighted its importance in enhancing customer support.
• - Legal and Financial Operations: 22% indicated that effective translations are crucial for navigating legal and financial matters, further illustrating translation's essential role in overall business health.

Acknowledging the Need for Transformation

The trend toward AI adoption is prompting a reassessment of how organizations structure their translation processes. 79% of German executives view the transformation of processes utilizing AI as a major priority for 2026, a figure that rises to 71% globally. Companies are increasingly under pressure to demonstrate tangible results from their AI investments, expecting notable improvements in customer experience, employee productivity, sales performance, and faster time-to-market.

Harry Witzthum, head of Digital Transformation at Caritas, emphasizes, "It's not merely about language; it's about process and structural changes. Organizations need to fundamentally evaluate whether their current setups are designed to leverage AI's full potential."

Conclusion

The Language AI Report 2026 serves as a timely reminder that while advancements in AI technology continue, the necessary transitions in business processes are lagging. By addressing the inefficiencies caused by outdated methods, companies can unlock the true potential of AI investments, thereby enhancing their operations in an increasingly globalized market. The complete report is accessible for further insights into the evolving landscape of multilingual business processes, showcasing a future where AI truly transforms communication workflows.