In a recent episode of Merging Minds, powered by BureauWorks, we had the pleasure of having Florian Faes, co-founder and managing director of Slator.com — the foremost authority on the global translation, localization, and language technology industry.
Connecting from Zurich, Switzerland, Javi sat with Florian as he shared his unique journey from an electrician to a pivotal figure in our field.
From Electrician to Industry Innovator
Florian's career trajectory is anything but ordinary. His story began in a small community near Zurich, where he started as an electrician, quite the common start in Switzerland.
His early career in construction was interspersed with extensive travel, which sparked that passion for languages we know so well. This wanderlust led him to discover a brochure for interpreting and translation degree studies, prompting a career shift that saw him diving deep into the world of languages, and eventually co-founding Slator.com in 2015.
The Genesis of Slator
The idea for Slator.com was born out of Florian’s realization of a niche gap in the market: a dedicated source for news, analysis, and research tailored to the localization industry.
His experiences attending various industry conferences highlighted the lack of specialized information resources, which inspired him to create a platform that catered specifically to the needs of localization professionals.
The Impact of AI (and the human element) on Localization
A significant portion of our discussion focused on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the localization industry. Florian reflected on the early days of covering AI at Slator, where GPT models were once a niche topic with little traffic.
Fast forward to the present, and AI dominates industry conversations with new tools reshaping the landscape.
"We have machines now that can write in multiple languages. This development is bound to have a huge impact on our industry. It's essential to differentiate between hype and reality."
Despite the rapid advancements in AI, Florian strongly believes in the irreplaceable value of human expertise, particularly in nuanced fields like translation and localization. He proposes a shift from the notion of "human in the loop" to "expert in the loop," highlighting the need for deep industry knowledge and specialization to add value to AI-generated content.
Advice for Aspiring Localization Professionals
For those entering the localization industry or navigating its evolving dynamics, Florian offered sage advice: immerse yourself in the technology, understand its capabilities and limitations, and find your niche—whether it be in creative, technical, or expert roles.
"It's not just about being a linguist anymore. You need to bring something extra—be it deep industry knowledge or technical skills."
He also shared insights into the challenges and rewards of organizing such conferences and networking events, noting the logistical complexities and the exhilarating sense of community they foster.
His leadership at Slator.com continues to illuminate the path for professionals navigating our ever-changing landscape of localization, proving that even in an AI-driven age, the human touch remains indispensable.
Listeners and industry folks can look forward to more perspectives and discussions on the next episodes of Merging Minds.
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