The Impact of the AI Translation Tools on the Translation Job Industry in Sri Lanka: With Special Reference to Sworn Translators

Artificial intelligence has changed the world, from translation services to many fields. The present study examines the influence AI tools have on sworn translators in Sri Lanka, a country with a very intricate language setup. In this qualitative research, 25 sworn translators share their experiences and views about AI translation systems. This study seeks to answer these research questions: 1). How familiar are Sri Lankan sworn translators with AI translation tools and their usage of AI translation tools in their work? 2). What changes have they observed in the demand for human translators since the advent of AI tools, and how do Sri Lankan translators view the accuracy, quality, and overall impact of AI translation tools compared to human translation? The study indicates that even though certified translators widely use Google Translate and GetGloby artificial intelligence technologies, they still cannot do as adequate a job in terms of precision and quality as human translators. Certified translators (sworn translators) who mostly work in legal document translations in Sri Lanka have not reported primary changes in demand or income in their translation field. However, according to sworn translators, translators in both technical and literary fields have indicated slight differences in their revenues. Despite the advances in artificial intelligence, human translators still have become a necessity in ensuring the accuracy and subtlety of cultures for the production of quality translations. The results suggest that although AI technologies increase speed, they are unlikely to completely replace human translators in Sri Lanka in the near future.