We live in a time when it pays to speak as many languages as possible. Multilingual competence allows you to please clients, understand precisely what they want, and ensure you satisfy their needs every time. 

Translation is about human connections. But AI is fast and cheap. So, which of these two approaches, human or AI translation, is best for business communications in 2025? 

Both have pluses and minuses, which we will explore to help your business converse with international customers, and make the best impression every time. 

This article summarizes the pros and cons of AI and human translation, and when to use AI, human translation, or both. When you’ve finished reading, you’ll know exactly how to use AI or human translation to get the best results for customers and your business every time. 

AI Translation in 2025: Fast, Scalable, and Affordable

AI translation is when a smart computer program translates words. These programs have learned how to do this by reading lots of text. Some popular AI tools are Google Translate, DeepL, and Microsoft Translator.

Why Businesses Like AI Translation:

• It’s swift. You can translate a whole website in seconds.
• It’s cheap or free.
• It works with many languages.

Use Case: Online Store

A business sells toys in 10 countries. It uses AI translation to change the product descriptions. For example:

Original (English): “Soft teddy bear with a blue bow.”
AI French Translation: “Ours en peluche doux avec un nœud bleu.”
AI Spanish Translation: “Osito de peluche suave con lazo azul.”

Now, shoppers in France and Spain can read about the teddy bear in their language.

Problem with AI

Sometimes, AI makes small mistakes that change the meaning, leading to unhelpful and unprofessional ways businesses communicate. 

For example, if the English sentence is:

“When it’s raining cats and dogs, buy our umbrellas.”
The AI Georgian version might say:
“როცა წვიმს კატები და ძაღლები, იყიდეთ ჩვენი ქოლგები.”
Which translates as “Cats and dogs are falling from the sky; buy our umbrellas.” 

This version will confuse readers because the idiom’s value is gone, and the remaining translation doesn’t make sense. So, in this case, it’s not a good idea to use AI for translation because AI is not good at translating idioms, among other cultural expressions. 

Human Translators: Accuracy, Emotion, and Cultural Understanding

Human translators are real people who understand two or more languages. They understand how people talk in real life. They know what sounds right and what doesn’t.

Why Businesses Like Human Translators:

• People understand feelings, jokes, and polite ways to talk.
• They don’t just change words—they make sure the message is correct and clear.

Use Case: Marketing

Dunkin Donuts wants to sell in the central Asian country of Georgia. Their slogan is:

Original (English): “America Runs on Dunkin.”
An AI tool might say: “ამერიკა დარბის დანკინზე.”
This translation loses much of the original meaning because it implies that America is running like a person on a road. 

A human translator would say: “ამერიკას ამოძრავებს დანკინი”
This version changes the meaning to “Dunkin’ Moves America,” which is much more natural while maintaining the original, catchy idea.

Problem with Human Translation

• It takes more time.
• It costs more money.

But for important content like brand slogans, it’s often worth it because it conveys a crucial image of the company.

Global Payment Services and Multilingual Coordination

Many businesses pay people in different countries. They use global payment services like PayPal. These services help send money in different currencies.

Why Translation Matters Here

If your company uses international contractors, you need to be very clear when processing payments. Mistakes in contracts or invoices can cause significant problems and may reduce the chances of future work. 

Use Case: Paying International Contractors

A business hires a graphic designer in France and a content writer in India. Everyone needs to understand the payment terms.

Original English sentence:
“You will receive payment of $250 when you submit the final version by February 15th.”

French AI Translation:
“Vous recevrez un paiement de 250 $ lorsque vous soumettrez la version finale avant le 15 février.”
Indian (Hindi) AI Translation:
“15 फरवरी तक अंतिम संस्करण जमा करने पर आपको 250 डॉलर का भुगतान प्राप्त होगा.”

Now, both workers know precisely what the agreement is.

AI + Human = Better Together

Some businesses use AI to translate the first version, sometimes through solutions like RAG as a service, and then a human checks it. This approach saves time but keeps things precise and maintains the human element essential to all business communications. 

When to Use AI, Human Translators—or Both

It can be a huge challenge to know when to use a human translator and when to use AI. But with a little thought, it becomes easier to find the best solution to make sure everyone is speaking the same language. 

Here’s how to decide what to use:

Use AI if:

• You need to translate lots of simple text fast.
• You’re translating product names, user guides, or menus.
• You’re okay with small mistakes.

Use Human Translators if:

• You’re writing essential messages.
• You’re making legal documents or marketing content.
• You need the translation to sound perfect.

Use Both if:

• You want speed and good quality.
• For example, you can use AI to translate and hire a human to check the text.

Industry Examples:

• Software companies use AI to help docs but humans for user messages.
• Travel companies use humans to write travel tips.
• Hiring teams use both to translate job offers and contracts.

Use the above quick guide to direct your investment toward human or AI translators. By choosing the correct translator for every task, you can save money and get the best results. 

Conclusion: Choose Based on Context, Not Hype

AI translation is cheap and fast, making it perfect for less important communications. But it fails for copywriting when millions of customers will see your brand, and you need it to be perfect. 

Human translators, on the other hand, are accurate, culturally nuanced, and accessible, but they cost more and can take more time to produce translations. 

When you’re deciding whether to use AI, human translators, or a combination, consider the following points:

• For small, fast jobs, AI might be adequate.
• For essential or emotional messages, use a human.
• For big projects with many languages, use both.

The essential point to remember is that effective communication builds trust. When you convey your message loud and clear, customers will line up to buy your products and services because they will understand what you offer.