Welcome back to LOCANUCU - Localization News You Can Use. Today, we are unpacking a massive day for industry technology, with DeepL betting big on Agentic AI, major updates from Crowdin and Phrase, and a crucial merger in Argentina. We'll also dive into new forecasts for 2026 and what the current shifts mean for freelancers and operation managers alike.
- DeepL Research: 69% of executives predict AI agents will reshape business in 2026
- Crowdin launches Dubbing Studio for video localization
- Phrase opens ecosystem with 'Bring Your Own Engine' and new Orchestrator
- Smartling achieves ISO 27001 certification for security
- Slator analyzes security gaps in the language industry supply chain
- Don DePalma on why Riyadh matters for the global content economy
- Argentina's TINA and AASL merge to strengthen local industry
- Alessio Demartis publishes 2026 Localization Industry Forecast
- Steve Bammel on handling shrinking translation workloads
- Acclaro guide: How to build a smarter localization RFP
- Loek van Kooten on the turning point for Japan's translators
- Viveta Gene on the "API Blindspot" in localization intelligence
- Eugen Baban on EMA linguistic review and regulatory affairs
- Dorota Pawlak on squeezing the best out of productivity tools
- Libor Safar discusses localization metrics
- Ad Astra Inc outlines the biggest trends for 2025
- Diego Cresceri reflects on three years since ChatGPT's release
- Localize Like A Pro: Technology alone doesn't increase productivity
Let’s get right into the strategic shifts defining our industry today. If there is one phrase echoing across the tech landscape right now, it is "Agentic AI."
DeepL has just released significant research indicating that 2026 will be the year of the AI agent. According to their data, sixty-nine percent of global executives expect these autonomous agents to fundamentally reshape business operations within the next year. This isn't just about faster translation; it’s about moving from experimentation to full-scale "agentic automation" where AI doesn't just assist but acts.
Speaking of acting on technology, we are seeing massive ecosystem updates from the major platforms. Crowdin has officially launched its Dubbing Studio, making it available for video. This is a crucial expansion for them, integrating with tools like ElevenLabs to streamline the audiovisual localization pipeline. Meanwhile, Phrase has announced a major platform expansion, opening up their ecosystem to "Bring Your Own Engine" and launching the Phrase Orchestrator, which they claim delivers fifty times faster automation. It’s a clear signal that interoperability is the new battleground.
However, with great power comes great responsibility, specifically regarding security. Smartling has just achieved ISO 27001 certification. This is a critical move, strengthening their security posture for enterprise AI translation. This aligns perfectly with a recent report from Slator regarding supply chain security gaps. As Slator noted in their coverage of the recent SlatorCon Remote, security maturity is becoming a primary differentiator in RFPs. Viveta Gene also touched on this technical vulnerability in her recent piece on "Unwrapping the API Blindspot," warning us that intelligence isn't just about the model, but how it connects to your systems.
Turning to the business landscape and forecasting, the industry is buzzing about what 2026 looks like. Alessio Demartis has published a forecast suggesting we are at a major inflection point, while Ad Astra has released their biggest trends for 2025. The consensus? The old models are breaking. Don DePalma adds a geographic layer to this, explaining why Riyadh now matters for the global content economy, signaling a shift in where the money, and the demand, is coming from.
But what about the people behind the work? Steve Bammel posted a thought-provoking piece about the reality of "work shrinking" and the necessity for professionals to diversify. This sentiment is echoed by Localize Like A Pro, who reminded us today that technology alone doesn't increase productivity, you need the workflow to match. On a positive note for the freelance community, Loek van Kooten highlights a turning point for Japan’s translators, suggesting that the quiet work of freelancers is finally entering the light.
In terms of regional consolidation, we have big news out of South America. TINA and AASL have announced a merger to strengthen Argentina’s translation and localization industry. This unification aims to create a stronger voice for the region's talent.
For those of you managing operations, Acclaro has released a guide on how to build a smarter localization RFP, which is essential reading as we head into budget season. Libor Safar is talking about metrics today, and Dorota Pawlak published a piece with the intriguing title "Squeezing the Best Out of Nano Banana Pro," focusing on getting the most out of your productivity tools. And finally, in the life sciences sector, Eugen Baban provided updates on the European Medicines Agency's linguistic review process, a reminder that in regulated industries, precision still trumps speed.
From the rise of autonomous agents to the merger of industry associations, the message for December 5th is clear: the infrastructure is changing, and we need to adapt our skills and security standards to match it.
That wraps up today’s rundown. We covered the rise of AI agents, the security implications of new certifications, the strategic importance of Riyadh, and the human side of the industry from Japan to Argentina. Remember, for more insights, tool reviews, and community spotlights, join us at locanucu.com, because when it comes to localization, knowledge is the key to going global.