Welcome to the LOCANUCU blog, your source for localization news you can actually use. In our June 18, 2025 roundup, we're diving into the biggest stories shaping the industry. We'll unpack the key takeaways from LocWorld53 in Malmö, where AI was the undeniable star of the show. We’ll also cover a major acquisition in the LSP space as Powerling expands into North America, and a strategic new hire at Blackbird.io. From new AI regulations in the legal space to expert advice on evolving the TMS and mastering LLM prompts, we’ve got the insights you need to stay ahead.
- LocWorld53 in Malmö was dominated by discussions on AI's integration into localization workflows.
- Lokalise identified key trends from LocWorld53, including continuous localization and the rise of localization as a strategic business function.
- French LSP Powerling has acquired Canada-based Idem Translations Inc.
- The acquisition expands Powerling's footprint in the North American market.
- Alex Terekhov has been appointed as the new Senior Solutions Architect at Blackbird.io.
- Terekhov's appointment is a strategic move for Blackbird.io to enhance its tech and enterprise solutions.
- A new AI Governance Survey shows a strong industry focus on creating clear policies for AI use, data privacy, and quality control.
- A Wisconsin bill aims to regulate AI in court interpreting, requiring disclosure and setting standards.
- Renato Beninatto argues the TMS is evolving into a central orchestration layer for various technologies.
- Dorota Pawlak outlines common mistakes localization professionals make when prompting large language models.
- Giulia Greco reinforces the continued importance of the "human-in-the-loop" for quality and cultural nuance.
- A new analysis from Slator questions traditional localization metrics, advocating for measuring true business impact.
- Craig Stewart of Phrase also advocates for moving beyond simple metrics like cost-per-word to focus on value.
- Animal health company Zoetis won the TAUS Massively Multilingual Award.
- Zoetis was recognized for its innovative, large-scale implementation of language technology and AI.
- Women in Localization has released its 2025 Mid-Year State of the Union report.
- The W.L. update, presented by Eva Argente and the board, covers progress in mentorship, events, and membership.
- ProZ.com is hosting a virtual event, "Interpreting 2025," to discuss the future of the interpreting profession.
- A new article from Hilary An provides strategic advice for localization professionals on how to "manage up" effectively.
- Discussions highlight a shift towards measuring localization's strategic value over traditional productivity metrics.
The industry is buzzing with insights from LocWorld53 in Malmö, where the central theme was undeniably the integration and impact of Artificial Intelligence. Discussions at the event, echoed in analyses from platforms like Lokalise, point towards several key trends reshaping our field. These include the necessity of AI-driven, continuous localization workflows and the strategic elevation of localization within businesses.
Reflecting this AI focus, a recent AI Governance Survey highlights the industry's active engagement with establishing clear policies. Companies are grappling with best practices for data privacy, quality control, and the ethical application of AI, moving from theoretical discussions to practical implementation. This push for governance is also finding its way into law. In the United States, a new bill in Wisconsin is set to regulate the use of AI in court interpreting, mandating disclosure when AI is used and establishing clear standards for its application in legal settings.
On the technology front, industry veterans are weighing in on the evolution of our core tools. Renato Beninatto suggests that the TMS is not becoming obsolete but is transforming into a sophisticated orchestration layer, integrating a multitude of technologies like AI and machine translation to manage complex global content ecosystems. As we lean more on these technologies, the methods for interacting with them become crucial. Dorota Pawlak has shared common mistakes localization professionals make when prompting LLMs, emphasizing the need for skill development in crafting effective and context-aware prompts to achieve better results.
Even with the rise of AI, the importance of human expertise remains a key point of conversation. Giulia Greco has recently emphasized the continued relevance of the "human-in-the-loop" model, asserting that human oversight is critical for ensuring quality, cultural nuance, and the handling of complex or sensitive content. This sentiment is connected to a broader discussion on metrics, led by figures like Craig Stewart of Phrase. The conversation is shifting away from simple cost-per-word calculations and towards measuring the true business impact and value that localization delivers, a point also explored in a recent Slator analysis. A prime example of leveraging technology for business impact comes from Zoetis, the animal health company, which was recently honored with the TAUS Massively Multilingual Award for its innovative and large-scale implementation of language technology.
In corporate news, the consolidation trend continues with French LSP Powerling acquiring Idem Translations Inc. This move significantly expands Powerling's presence in the North American market and deepens its expertise in key verticals. We also see strategic talent acquisition, with Blackbird.io appointing Alex Terekhov as its new Senior Solutions Architect. This hire signals Blackbird's intent to strengthen its technological solutions and enterprise client strategies.
Looking at community and professional development, Women in Localization, under the leadership of Eva Argente and its board, released its 2025 Mid-Year State of the Union, outlining progress in its mentorship programs, global events, and membership growth. For those in the interpreting space, ProZ.com has announced its upcoming "Interpreting 2025" virtual event, which will tackle the future of the profession, including remote technologies and the role of AI. Finally, for those looking to enhance their strategic influence within their organizations, a recent article by Hilary An provides actionable advice on how to "manage up" effectively, a critical skill for demonstrating the value of localization to executive leadership.
That's a wrap on this edition from LOCANUCU. We've covered the dominant role of AI and governance as seen at LocWorld53 and in new legislation. We touched on industry consolidation with Powerling's acquisition of Idem Translations and saw how talent like Alex Terekhov is shaping tech platforms like Blackbird.io. We also explored expert perspectives on the evolution of the TMS, the importance of human oversight, and the critical need to measure business impact over outdated metrics. Finally, we highlighted community updates from Women in Localization and professional development advice to help you elevate your strategic influence. Visit us again for more localization news you can use.