Pressure from the C-suite to adopt AI in business processes has become well-known, and widespread, since OpenAI’s ChatGPT burst onto the scene in November 2022.

Nearly two years later, it seems clear that the language industry, too, has noticed curiosity from clients at high levels. 

According to the 2024 edition of the Association of Language Companies (ALC) Industry Survey, carried out by Slator, 76% of language services providers (LSPs) received proactive customer inquiries regarding AI for translation or interpreting between January and July 2024. 

Of course, interest in AI is not limited to LSP clients; many LSPs have long been exploring if, and how, to integrate AI into their workflows.

This is reflected in respondents’ choice of “AI and big data” as the number one skill they want to see in their employees over the next three years. 

126 respondents selected between one and three of the top skills employees now need in the industry. AI and big data, named by 40% of participants, was the most-cited answer, up from second place in 2023.

In 2024, that honor went to “creative thinking,” identified by 28% of companies as a must-have. “Service orientation and customer service” was close behind; having topped the list in 2023, 26% of respondents listed it in 2024. 

By contrast, “curiosity and lifelong learning” climbed the ranks in 2024, when it was selected by 22% of companies — a threefold jump from 7% in 2023. It is possible, and perhaps even likely, that respondents had AI in mind when thinking of how these traits might be put to use.

For more in-depth analysis on how AI is changing language industry roles, check out the Slator Pro Guide: The Future of Language Industry Jobs.