Symposium on audio-visual translation and international communication in the era of artificial intelligence was held online on April 9. 

The event was hosted by the following organizations: the Academy of Translation and Interpretation (ATI) at China International Communications Group, the Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation, Research Centre for Country-specific Translation and Interpretation Capacity (RECTIC), and the Artificial Intelligence and Human Languages Lab (BFSU•AI) at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU). It was co-organized by influential corporations in the fields of language services, film and television.

Ren Wen, dean of the Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation and director of RECTIC at BFSU; Li Zuowen, director of BFSU•AI; and Wang Fei, deputy director of ATI, addressed the opening ceremony.

Experts in the fields of translation, international communication, film and television industry spearhead the symposium on April 9. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

The symposium focused on seizing the opportunities driven by the development of subtitle translation in the new era and dealing with the challenges brought about by the growth of integrated media technology. It discussed the current situation and the future of AI-powered audio-visual translation and international communication, the challenges posed by higher education institutions’ talent training, as well as the integration of enterprises with vocational schools and universities.

The symposium aimed to implement the Translation Talent Construction Plan (2021-25), respond to the requirements of the strategic development of national cultural industry, strengthen the AI-powered mechanism, enhance the publicity, artistic appeal and cultural cohesion of audio-visual translation culture, promote Chinese films and television programs to the world, and improve China’s translation ability, cultural soft power and international communication capacity.

Symposium on audio-visual translation and international communication in the era of artificial intelligence is held online on April 9. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Jin Haina, professor from the Communication University of China, Han Wen, chief expert in audio-visual translation from Besteasy (Beijing) Translations Corporation, and Li Xifeng, project director of Renren Yishijie, a collaborative intelligent translation platform, gave keynote speeches. They exchanged views with Yan Lili, vice-president of Transn IOL Technology Co Ltd; He Qin, general manager of Beijing Zhenzhiying Culture Media Co Ltd; and Lin Fanlin, general manager of Moze (Beijing) Technology Communication Co Ltd. 

Yao bin, vice-dean of the Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation and secretary-general of RECTIC at BFSU, and Jiang Lu and Wang Huashu, teachers from the school and research fellows at RECTIC, presided over the opening ceremony and the discussion. 

More than 20,000 participants watched the live broadcast.