Last week, the European Language Industry Association (ELIA) hosted its Annual Conference, “Together 2025,” in Barcelona, Spain, on February 21 and 22. This year’s event was a remarkable gathering of professionals from across the translation and localization industry, focusing heavily on the advancements of artificial intelligence (AI) and its growing impact on the sector.
ELIA, the leading European non-profit trade association for language service companies, has played a crucial role in fostering collaboration and innovation in the industry since its establishment in 2005. After a successful return to in-person events in 2023, this year’s Together conference built upon that momentum, offering two days of insightful discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities.
The event was preceded by a fantastic networking evening organized by Women in Localization Catalunya, bringing together professionals for an engaging and inspiring start to the conference. This initiative, similar to the networking event held at ELIA Together 2023 in Italy, underscored the importance of community-building within the industry.
AI in the Language Industry: A Key Focus
The conference kicked off with the keynote “Value, not Wordcounts: Human-Centered Translation in our Tech-Driven World” by Mirko Plitt, Former WHO Multilingualism Lead. His keynote addressed the current state of the translation industry in the face of rapid technological advancements, particularly the rise of AI. He discussed the evolving demands of the market, the changing role of translators, and the opportunities for innovation and collaboration in defining the future of language services.
Following the keynote, a series of expert-led workshops explored cutting-edge trends in the translation and localization industry, particularly in AI-driven tools. Discussions ranged from the integration of AI in translation workflows to the ethical implications of AI-generated content. Industry leaders shared their experiences on leveraging AI to enhance productivity while maintaining linguistic quality and cultural sensitivity by developing our own custom AI tools, as taught by expert Tony d’Angelo in his workshop Don’t Touch My AI: Turning a Threat into a Powerful Tool.
Throughout the two-day event, various panels and presentations showcased the transformative role of AI in language services. Topics such as neural machine translation, AI-assisted localization, and automated quality assurance were thoroughly explored. Attendees gained valuable insights into how AI is not only reshaping the role of human translators but also creating new opportunities for efficiency and scalability.
Networking, Collaboration, and the Future
Beyond the technical discussions, Together 2025 also provided an invaluable platform for networking and collaboration. The event featured practical workshops, panel discussions, networking and interactive sessions that allowed participants to connect with industry peers, share best practices, and explore potential partnerships. The vibrant setting of Barcelona added to the event’s energy, with many attendees taking the opportunity to experience the city’s rich cultural heritage in their downtime.
One of the highlights of the conference was the closing panel, moderated by Mr. Carlos la Orden, where industry experts and attendees reflected on the future of AI in the language sector. The distinguished speakers were Mr. Henry Dotterer, founder and president of ProZ.com, Ms. Anikó Pető-Mordovski, freelance expert Hungarian translator and founder of the project TeamTranslator and our CMO Luz M. Sanchis representing the LSP side, who brought their expertise to the discussion, emphasizing the importance of balancing technological advancements with linguistic diversity and human creativity.
As AI continues to revolutionize the translation and localization landscape, ELIA Together 2025 served as a testament to the industry’s adaptability and commitment to innovation. With AI-powered solutions evolving rapidly, the need for collaboration, ethical considerations, and professional development has never been greater.
For those seeking a trusted partner in Asian language projects, our team remains dedicated to providing high-quality translation services that blend human expertise with the latest AI-driven innovations. We look forward to continuing the conversation and embracing the future of language technology together.