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Transforming communication in pharmaceuticals: The impact of AI on the evolution of machine translation

In the highly regulated world of pharmaceuticals, where precise communication is paramount and language barriers can impede progress, the evolution of machine translation stands as a modern beacon of innovation and efficiency. From its nascent stages to the sophisticated systems we employ today, machine translation has become an indispensable efficiency generating tool.

The trajectory of machine translation evolution and speed of recent adoption mirrors the rapid advancements in the development of artificial intelligence (AI). Early iterations relied on rudimentary rule-based or statistical algorithms, often yielding translations that fell way short of industry standards for accuracy and precision. The arrival of neural machine translation (NMT) changed the landscape. NMT models, powered by deep learning across vast datasets of pharmaceutical libraries, have the capacity to comprehend context and intricate language specific nuances. Adding further AI technologies, such as Large Language Models (LLM) and Generative AI (Gen AI), results in a paradigm shift in machine driven quality translation, opening the doors of possibility for language service providers.

So, what happens next? What are the current limitations of machine translation and how far can we really take it?

They say to ‘err is human’, but the same can sometimes be said for machines. While machine learning has made significant strides in recent years it can still produce inconsistent precision. AI hallucinations, where machines generate erroneous or misleading text, can lead to grammatically incorrect sentences or text that deviates from the required output. Also, attention disparity, where rare or seemingly lower resourced language pairs receive less extensive investment, can result in significant output variances or suboptimal translation quality in comparison to more nurtured language pairs. 

As a result, while machines can support the automation of the translation process to a significant extent, humans must play an indispensable role in creating the required accuracy by directing and correcting the nuances of language that machines may overlook.

The integration of human expertise and machine capabilities yields exponential efficiencies in the translation process. This tactical combination is already producing transformative outcomes today and promises to meet the rigorous quality requirements of the pharmaceutical and medical device industries in the future, while addressing demands for both time and cost efficiency. The future possibilities represent an exciting frontier and one of the most compelling aspects in the ongoing evolution of machine translation. 

Is it time for our imaginations to be near-term reality?

Is it possible to imagine a time, in which researchers, clinicians, and regulatory authorities from around the globe can exchange information, share findings, and navigate complex regulatory frameworks without the burden of language barriers? Will it be possible for author communities to generate core documents in the framework of their own native language, whilst seamlessly and effortlessly producing alternative language versions in real time, enabling flawless information comprehension?

These AI visions could one day be reality thanks to the continuous advancements in AI and machine learning algorithms. As AI technologies continue to emerge, change, and develop we must understand and implement technologies such as reinforcement learning, which uses algorithms that adapt and refine translations based on feedback from domain experts, into our processes and methodologies. The right combination of supervised, semi-supervised and unsupervised learning will provide the pharmaceutical industry with translation and language service technologies that will be brimming with the potential to reduce language barriers to a minimum. In fact, the capacity for machine translation to revolutionize communication within the pharmaceutical sector is almost limitless. 

At ICON we believe in providing proven progressive solutions. We empower our pharmaceutical partners to accelerate the pace of drug and medical devices development using a tried and tested infrastructure that fully meets all requirements with no risk. Our Language Services solutions and AI Center of Excellence enable us to transcend linguistic barriers and unlock new frontiers without boundaries whilst understanding the unique needs and challenges of our clients. 

Contact us to learn more about ICON Language Services. Together we can unlock new possibilities, break down barriers, and shape the future of healthcare.

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