Seoul: The King Abdulaziz Public Library and the General Secretariat of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Award for Translation, in collaboration with Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, today inaugurated the scientific forum accompanying the ceremony for the 11th edition award winners. The event, titled 'Translation and AI: opportunities and challenges,' took place in Seoul, Republic of Korea, and witnessed participation from a notable group of scholars and researchers with expertise in translation and AI technologies.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Faisal bin Muaammar, the General Supervisor of the King Abdulaziz Public Library, delivered the opening address. He emphasized the cultural and intellectual initiatives of the Kingdom, highlighting the importance of translation and innovation in Saudi Arabia's vision for cultural growth and development. Muaammar pointed out the limitless scope of knowledge and stressed that investing in innovative minds capable of transforming knowledge into valuable opportunities is the Kingdom's most significant asset. He described the forum as a platform for dialogue, aimed at exploring AI's potential and shaping the future of translation amid digital transformation, with hopes of inspiring creative ideas and fostering meaningful dialogue across various fields and disciplines.
Jeong-Woon Park, President of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, lauded the pivotal role of the King Abdulaziz Public Library in the Kingdom's cultural and intellectual domains. He acknowledged the library's transformation into a leading institution committed to preserving Arab and Islamic heritage while promoting global research and supporting translation, scholarship, and cultural exchange. Park affirmed that this commitment provides a solid foundation for the discussions at the forum.
The forum comprised two sessions. The first session focused on AI tools and emerging technologies in translation, evaluating their impact on translators and innovative approaches to teaching literary and humanities translation. It also tackled ethical and legal challenges related to intellectual property rights and complexities arising from machine-generated translations.
The second session dealt with translation between Arabic and Korean, emphasizing the role of publishing houses in enhancing cultural exchange through AI. It also reviewed strategies for the responsible adoption of modern translation technologies in light of rapid technological advancements.