Chapter 1
How translation became the bottleneck for global operations
Translation touches every enterprise function, but manual, unpredictable, error-prone processes cause delays and undermine efficiency.
As content volumes accelerate and shift to multimodal formats, teams now need instant translation across text, voice, video, and files—delivered in every audience’s preferred language.
The traditional translation approach is breaking under this pressure. Even with automation, workflows still need to be assigned, reviewed, amended, and checked by humans.
0%
Content creation has surged—up 50% from 2023 to 2025, driven largely by AI Source: Statista
0%
Translations are now 70% machine-assisted, but workflows haven’t moved on Source: Forrester Research, 2025
“The impact of language friction is definitely underestimated. It was just not possible to deliver ideas or innovation quickly, because you always had these kinds of processes in the background that really ground innovation down.”
Harry Witzthum, Chief of Digital Transformation and AI, Caritas
Leaders now see outdated translation workflows as a major drag on operational efficiency. Delays, errors, and unpredictable costs slow innovation, disrupt processes, weaken brands, and drain resources.
It's why they're turning to Language AI. When asked what drives their investment in 2026, leaders point to the following factors essential for operating effectively, competing, and growing.
Top 3 drivers of Language AI
0%
put global expansion top of their list
0%
say efficiency and ROI are the most important
0%
see voice and multilingual collaboration as key
Source: DeepL 2025 survey of global business executives
