MUSCAT: Sultan Qaboos University, represented by the Department of English Language and Translation at the College of Arts and Social Sciences, organised an academic and professional event on the occasion of International Translation Day 2026 under the title: 'Translation between Education and Practice: Envisioning the Future of Translation Programmes in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.'
The event sought to explore the impact of artificial intelligence on the translation profession and the transformations in translators' roles and career paths, to identify the practical applications of AI tools in translation, and to examine the opportunities and challenges associated with their use.
It also discussed the extent to which academic translation programmes align with labour market requirements amid rapid technological developments, and the enhancement of communication among academics, professional translators and students.
The event included a lecture delivered by Prof Dr Lynn Booker from the Department of Languages, Linguistics and Translation and holder of the Canadian Research Chair in Translation, entitled 'The Cognitive Challenge in Translator Training Programmes in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.'
In her lecture, she addressed the importance of integrating 'deliberate cognitive challenge' into translation education by placing learners before cognitive challenges that drive them toward critical thinking and away from reliance on machine output.
The event included a panel discussion entitled 'The Future of Translation Programmes: What Does the Labour Market Need from Translation Graduates in the Age of the Machine?' with the participation of a group of academics, practitioners and specialists in the field of translation. It focused on the impact of AI on the translation market, the anticipated transformations in translators' roles and career opportunities, and the competencies required by the labour market.
It also addressed the implications of these transformations for academic translation programmes and ways to develop their curricula and outputs in line with professional and technological developments. The event come up with a number of recommendations for developing translator training programmes in a manner that keeps pace with the transformations brought about by artificial intelligence in the translation market and the requirements of the profession. — ONA
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
