Welcome to the LOCANUCU blog, your ultimate destination for localization news you can use. In a world where technology and human expertise are in constant conversation, staying informed is key. Today, June 25, 2025, we're exploring the biggest stories shaping our industry. We’ll cover the strategic push for human-centric translation in the face of AI, major platform updates from KUDO and DeepL, a critical report on the healthcare interpreting gap, and a key leadership change at CQ fluency. From gaming localization to new literary prizes, we have the actionable insights to keep you ahead of the curve.
- ASTA-USA is expanding its human-centric translation services to counter the growing number of errors from AI-generated content.
- The expansion by ASTA-USA focuses on languages and dialects where AI tools are known to underperform.
- Voice actors are preparing to vote on a new agreement that addresses the use of AI speech technology in the video game industry.
- A June 2025 "AI View" report from Simmons & Simmons analyzes the latest legal and regulatory developments surrounding artificial intelligence.
- KUDO has launched version 2.0 of its Microsoft Teams integration, featuring a more stable and secure participant-based connection for its AI interpretation service.
- MachineTranslation.com, a Tomedes platform, introduced "Secure Mode" to filter for SOC 2 compliant MT engines, enhancing data privacy.
- Rask AI is highlighted as a tool helping businesses scale global marketing through features like intelligent translation memory and lip-sync dubbing.
- A report on India's BPO sector shows increasing AI adoption, with automation handling up to 50% of repetitive tasks and shifting job requirements.
- DeepL has expanded its language offerings to 36 by adding Vietnamese, Hebrew, and an early-access version of Thai.
- DeepL also improved its document translation feature, adding support for Arabic and Traditional Chinese.
- Reports indicate that DeepL's translation platform is now inaccessible in Russia and Belarus, with no official reason provided by the company.
- Boostlingo's 2025 Healthcare Interpreting Report reveals nearly half of LEP patient encounters in the U.S. lack a qualified interpreter.
- The healthcare interpreter gap is attributed to costs, staffing shortages, and inadequate technology integration.
- CQ fluency has appointed former healthcare executive Tameeka Smith as its new CEO.
- Tameeka Smith succeeds CQ fluency's founder, Elisabete Miranda, who will move to a role on the board.
- A Lionbridge Games case study details the localization process for the popular game "Hello Kitty Island Adventure."
- A new Poetry in Translation Prize has been launched by Fitzcarraldo Editions, Giramondo Publishing, and New Directions.
- The new poetry prize offers a $5,000 advance and multi-region publication for the winning collection.
- The difficulty of translating Chinese food menu items highlights a cultural debate between literal and descriptive translation approaches.
- Elia has announced its Networking Days event will take place in Budapest, Hungary, in September 2025.
- UNESCO is conducting a global survey on Indigenous languages to support preservation efforts.
- Kanoo Energy will present its localization and in-kingdom service model at the Saudi Industry Forum 2025.
- The LocLunch community continues to offer global networking opportunities for localization professionals.
- The American Translators Association (ATA) is actively advocating for the value of professional human translators and interpreters.
- The GatherVerse XREvolve Summit is scheduled for 2025, focusing on advancements in XR technologies.
The intersection of Artificial Intelligence and human expertise is a major theme. ASTA-USA announced an expansion of its human-centric translation services, specifically to combat the rise of errors from AI-generated content. The company is adding more languages and dialects where AI tools underperform, emphasizing that for high-stakes technical, legal, and medical documents, human translators are essential to ensure accuracy and cultural fidelity. This move comes as many organizations are learning the limitations of relying solely on AI for complex communication.
In a related vein, voice actors are set to vote on a new agreement concerning the use of AI speech technology in video games, a development that will be closely watched as it could set a precedent for how performance and digital likeness are managed in an increasingly automated industry. From a legal perspective, a new "AI View" report for June 2025 from Simmons & Simmons offers insights into the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding artificial intelligence, which will undoubtedly impact its use in localization.
However, the push for more advanced AI tools continues. KUDO has released an enhanced version 2.0 of its integration with Microsoft Teams, improving stability and security for its AI-powered real-time interpretation. The new architecture has the "KUDO Translator" join a meeting as a participant, giving organizers more control. This is significant given that over 90% of large companies use Microsoft Teams. Meanwhile, MachineTranslation.com, a platform developed by Tomedes, has launched a "Secure Mode." This feature allows users to compare outputs only from machine translation engines that are SOC 2 compliant, addressing critical data privacy concerns for sensitive content in legal, healthcare, and finance.
Furthering the AI trend, an article on Rask AI highlights how AI translation tools are enabling businesses to scale global marketing efforts more efficiently. The platform's features, like intelligent translation memory and lip-sync dubbing, help maintain brand consistency and cultural relevance across multiple languages. In India, a new report details how AI is being integrated into the country's massive IT and BPO sectors, with up to 50% of repetitive tasks now being handled by automation, leading to a shift in job roles from data entry to more complex, AI-assisted functions.
DeepL has also been active. The company announced an expansion, adding Vietnamese, Hebrew, and an early-access version of Thai to its offerings, bringing its total to 36 languages. Document translation has also been enhanced with support for Arabic and Traditional Chinese. In a contrasting move, DeepL's services have reportedly become inaccessible in Russia and Belarus. The company has not issued a public statement, leaving users in those regions without access to the platform.
In healthcare, a new report from Boostlingo, highlighted by GALA, reveals a persistent "interpreter gap" in the U.S. healthcare system. The 2025 report found that nearly half of all encounters with limited-English-proficient patients occur without a qualified interpreter. The study points to cost pressures, staffing shortages, and technology integration issues as the main barriers, even as interest in AI-supported solutions grows.
On the leadership front, CQ fluency, a provider of language and accessibility services, has appointed Tameeka Smith as its new Chief Executive Officer. Smith, a former healthcare executive, succeeds founder Elisabete Miranda. Smith's focus will be on expanding the company's impact in the healthcare space and beyond, building on its 25-year legacy.
In gaming localization, a case study from Lionbridge Games details their work on "Hello Kitty Island Adventure." This provides a look into the specific challenges and creative solutions involved in localizing a major gaming title for global audiences.
A new initiative aims to elevate literary translation. Fitzcarraldo Editions, Giramondo Publishing, and New Directions have jointly launched the Poetry in Translation Prize. The biennial award comes with a $5,000 advance, split between the poet and translator, and guarantees publication in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and North America. Submissions will open in July 2025.
On a cultural note, the challenge of translating Chinese culinary terms into English has been highlighted. The discussion revolves around whether to use literal translations, which can sound odd but preserve cultural uniqueness, or descriptive translations, which are easier for diners to understand. The debate underscores the nuanced decisions translators make in conveying cultural concepts.
For those looking to connect with peers, several industry events are on the horizon. The European Language Industry Association, Elia, will hold its Networking Days in Budapest, Hungary, in September. In the United States, the American Translators Association continues to advocate for the profession, recently posting about the essential role of human interpreters. The LocLunch community continues to thrive, with its latest newsletter and various in-person and virtual events offering networking opportunities for localization professionals worldwide. Meanwhile, the GatherVerse XREvolve Summit for 2025 is on the calendar, focusing on XR technologies, and UNESCO is calling for participation in a global survey on Indigenous languages to support the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
Finally, in regional business, Kanoo Energy is set to showcase its localization capabilities at the Saudi Industry Forum 2025, demonstrating its commitment to building in-kingdom industrial strength in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
That's a wrap on today's news from the LOCANUCU blog. We've covered the complex role of AI, with companies like ASTA-USA reinforcing the need for human experts while platforms like KUDO and Rask AI push technological boundaries. We saw how industry leaders are addressing real-world challenges, from the persistent interpreter shortage in healthcare highlighted by Boostlingo's report, to the appointment of Tameeka Smith as CEO of CQ fluency. We also celebrated new opportunities for connection and recognition with Elia's upcoming event and the launch of a new Poetry in Translation Prize. At Locanucu, we believe knowledge is the key to going global. Visit us at locanucu.com for more in-depth analysis and the news you need to thrive.