How to streamline localization workflows with AI

IA et localisation
Table of contents

Why AI is a game changer 

Like many other fields, artificial intelligence has made great strides in the localization sector in recent years and is set to revolutionize an industry that has everything to gain from it.     

The aim of this guide is to demonstrate how AI can optimize companies’ workflows for increased efficiency, compliance and competitiveness on the international stage.

A challenging environment

The industry is facing multiple and increasingly complex challenges: localization managers have to manage growing volumes within tight deadlines, while ensuring compliance with strict regulations.

A double challenge – operational and strategic

Integrating AI into localization workflows addresses a double challenge: it helps operational teams become more efficient and satisfies the strategic performance requirement of decision-makers. 

Using AI to optimize processes therefore benefits both operational teams, by providing localization managers with tangible solutions to improve productivity and quality, and related decision-makers (quality and compliance managers, IT managers, marketing managers, product managers), who benefit from reduced time-to-market, improved traceability and compliance, and cost optimization.

 

How AI can transform Localization Managers’ daily lives     

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The daily challenges of workflows

Localization managers face growing challenges to meet the needs of clients within the requested deadlines and budgets. 

As international growth is now seen as a necessity rather than a trend in all sectors, managing multilingual content is part of the daily routine for project management teams. 

It requires the implementation of appropriate processes to ensure consistent terminology across all deliverables and to protect sensitive data

Here, manual post-editing has its limits – it is time consuming and costly and can be a barrier to scalability and keeping the brand’s tone and image consistent across all markets.

How AI is optimizing practical applications 

Neural machine translation (NMT) is a technology based on artificial neural networks and represents the most significant development in the sector thanks to artificial intelligence. 

In contrast to previous static systems, NMT analyses the entire sentence to generate more fluent and contextually-appropriate translations. Human post-editing of machine translations can be more targeted and efficient, with productivity gains of up to 59.74% for French-German and 9.26% for German-Italian in the banking sector (Study “Post-editing Productivity with Neural Machine Translation”).                    

In addition, AI-enhanced glossaries and terminology databases enable NMT engines to be trained more specifically to produce translations      that are more natural, consistent and market-appropriate. In short, tailor-made. 

The switch from static translation memories to dynamic translation memories is another major breakthrough, providing increased leverage, better contextual adaptation and consistent terminology. 

For localization managers, the advantage of AI also lies in the automation of workflows thanks to real-time connectors that enable AI translation tools to be integrated into TMS (Translation Management System), CMS (Content Management System)and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems. 

Best practices for success 

Now that the impact of AI translation has been established, here are some best practices based on the experience of project managers here at Version internationale:

Focus/Practice

Description

Combine AI + human expertise

Machine translation has to be validated by an experienced linguist (quality + cultural adaptation) and, for critical content, by a specialist in the field.

Carry out tests

Experimenting with different approaches helps to find a tailor-made solution that is adapted to the specific aspects of the project.

Centralize and standardize terminology

Set up a common terminology database to ensure consistency and uniformity.

Define relevant KPIs

Monitoring of key indicators: deadlines, quality, consistency.

Train teams in the use of AI tools

Training of localization managers in AI tools, and post-editors in MTPE techniques.

Check compliance with standards

Compliance with ISO 18587 and 17100 standards to ensure quality and accuracy.

 

How AI is redefining strategic choices in localization

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Priorities for managers    

Decision-makers      have everything to gain by embracing the breakthroughs made possible by AI, which is a powerful strategic driver for businesses.

  • Reduced time to market: AI is radically transforming time to market, reducing it from several weeks to just a few days for multilingual product launch campaigns.
  • Guaranteed compliance and traceability: regulatory compliance of AI translation is guaranteed through different standards that set quality requirements for machine translation

ISO 18587
Translation services – Post-editing of a machine translation

Provides requirements for the process of full, human post-editing of machine translation output.

ISO 17100
Translation services – Requirements for translation services

Provides requirements for high-quality translation services, with structured processes including initial translation, editing by a second linguist and final verification. Integrating AI must comply with these established quality workflows

  • Productivity and cost optimization: the cost savings achieved through AI translation are significant.     
  • Brand image and international competition: business growth is now driven by international expansion. With AI, it is now possible to reduce the costs of international campaigns without fear of fragmenting brand identity in the process. Adopting AI is also becoming a necessity in a world where 88% of decision-makers already use generative AI for translation (Forrester report on AI localization, 2025).      

AI as a global driver 

AI localization is a great driver for growth for companies looking to reach an international audience. 

  • In-house, its integration with various content management tools enables better coordination between IT, quality, marketing, product, and localization teams.
  •      Regulatory-wise, it improves traceability and auditability thanks to various standards in this area. 
  • Strategically, it provides a competitive advantage by enabling faster simultaneous launches across multiple markets, for example. 
  • Lastly, from a financial standpoint, the return on investment is tangible and measurable, with shorter lead times, reduced costs, and increased satisfaction. Productivity      improvements can      reach 90% reduction in translation time and 345% ROI over three years (Forrester’s Total Economic Impact, 2024).

Repositioning localization 

AI translation processes are rewriting the rules of the industry, with localization shifting from a support function to a strategic role. 

Localization managers play a special role in this new environment, becoming the architects of AI workflows. 

For companies, this is an essential tool for international growth against the backdrop of digital transformation.

 

Real-life use cases – AI in action 

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Sectors

Characteristics

Real-life applications

The benefits of AI

Pharma/Medtech

Strict translation requirements, patient safety and regulatory compliance issues

Product information leaflets, regulatory files, clinical trials, adverse event reports

  • Consistent terminology is critical for safety
  • Reduced approval times
  • Quicker detection of safety signals
  • Increased productivity with human validation

Industry/Manufacturing

Need for multilingual technical and training/integration documentation

User manuals, maintenance guides, specifications, publication notes

Consistent terminology is essential for operational safety

Marketing and products

Large-scale localization for marketing and retail

Promotional materials, product descriptions, support content, multilingual websites

  • Reduced costs 
  • Better brand consistency
  • Improved customer experience

 

Conclusion

Artificial intelligence is profoundly reshaping translation and localization, offering unprecedented productivity gains while maintaining the most exacting quality standards. The future belongs to organizations that can combine the power of AI with human expertise, guaranteeing accuracy, compliance and cultural adaptation.

Adopting a hybrid approach today means not only optimizing operations and strengthening the reliability of processes, but also strategically preparing for the revolution that is underway. For both operational teams and decision-makers, AI is a major opportunity to improve quality, speed up lead times, reduce costs and turn localization into a real competitive advantage.

Switch to AI-assisted localization

Don’t let this change pass you by – seize the opportunity. Explore AI-assisted localization solutions to ensure you remain competitive. 

You can rely on Version Internationale and our expertise to equip you with the best tools and turn your international ambitions into tangible results.

Share your messages worldwide with perfectly localised and compelling content for a consistent and effective global marketing strategy.

WRITTEN BY
Lucie Tarrerias

Lucie Tarrerias

Lucie Tarrerias has been a Senior Translator-Editor specialized in EN/DE>FR for over 10 years at Version internationale. Passionate about transcreation and international marketing, she helps companies strengthen the cultural and linguistic impact of their communications.

REVIEWED BY
Arnaud Devin

Arnaud Devin

Arnaud Devin has been a Senior Translator-Editor specialized in EN/ES>FR at Version internationale for 12 years. An expert in transcreation and high-level marketing content, he helps brands with creative adaptation and multilingual enhancement of their messages.