The Department of English and Translation at the College of Arts and Social Sciences organised an academic and professional event to mark World Translation Day 2026, under the theme ‘Translation between Education and Practice: Looking Ahead to the Future of Translation Programmes in the Age of AI’. The event was held at the college’s Cultural Events Hall.

The event explored the impact of AI on the translation profession and the changing roles and career paths of translators. It also examined the practical applications of AI tools in translation, as well as the opportunities and challenges associated with their use. In addition, discussions focused on the extent to which academic translation programmes align with labour market requirements amid rapid technological developments, while strengthening communication between academics, professional translators and students.

The event also featured a lecture by Professor Lynne Bowker from the Department of Languages, Linguistics and Translation and Chair of the Canadian Research Chair in Translation, entitled ‘The Cognitive Challenge in Translator Education in the Age of AI’. The lecture addressed the importance of integrating ‘intended cognitive challenge’ into translation education by presenting learners with cognitive challenges that encourage critical thinking and help them move beyond reliance on machine-generated outputs. The presentation centred on a key question: what role remains for human translators as AI increasingly undertakes the translation process? It also emphasised the need for translator education programmes to focus on developing the human competencies required to evaluate AI-generated outputs and make informed translation decisions.

The event also included a panel discussion entitled ‘The Future of Translation Programmes: What Does the Job Market Need from Translation Graduates in the Age of AI?’, featuring a group of academics, practitioners and specialists in translation. The discussion examined the impact of AI on the translation market, expected changes in translators’ roles and career opportunities, and the competencies required by the labour market. It also considered the implications of these changes for academic translation programmes and ways to develop their curricula and learning outcomes in line with professional and technological developments.

The event resulted in a set of recommendations for developing translator education programmes in response to the changes brought about by AI in the translation market and the requirements of the profession. It also identified future skills that should be prioritised in translation education and strengthened links between academic programmes by incorporating the views of practitioners and experienced professionals into the development of courses and training activities.

The event forms part of the Department of English and Translation’s efforts to keep pace with developments in the field of translation and promote dialogue between academics and practitioners. These efforts aim to contribute to the development of translator education programmes and equip students and graduates to effectively navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by the evolving translation profession.