We believe in humans who see ‘impossible’ as just the beginning

What the ocean taught us about humans and the future.

What did you learn about humans while at sea?

During the 2023 Ocean Globe Race, I thought I’d have time to reflect on the future, time to work, to plan, to shape the next frontier of AI. Instead, I ended up learning something far more valuable: what humans are truly capable of. Humans are astonishingly adaptable, much more than we give ourselves credit for. On Translated 9, 23 of our 27 crew members had never crossed an ocean. And yet, when the storms came and everything turned chaotic, no one panicked. They stepped up. Not because of their titles, but because the situation demanded it. Fear didn’t vanish, it evolved into courage. But the most powerful lesson I took away was about humility. Out there, in the vastness of the ocean, with no signal, no escape, and nature reminding us who’s in charge, I understood what it really means to be small. The sea taught me that humility isn’t weakness. It’s clarity. It strips away the noise and shows you what truly matters. And that clarity stays with you, long after the sails are down.

How is this helpful in your business?

Because our industry is facing its own unpredictable waters. AI is transforming the landscape faster than we imagined. And like at sea, the ones who will thrive are not necessarily the strongest, but the most aware. Humility gives us the space to ask better questions, to recognize what machines do well–and what only humans can bring. It helps us move from fear of change to strategic action. I realized that the same approach that helped us read the wind and survive storms is what now helps us read this wave of innovation. It’s what enables us to benefit from it without being blinded by it.

How can we apply that mindset today?

By letting go of the illusion of control and leading with trust, curiosity, and clarity. At sea, we had paper charts, analog compasses, and human instinct and we still crossed the world. That journey showed me that it’s not about having the most advanced tools, but about knowing how to use them with purpose. In localization, AI gives us incredible reach and speed. But the future will be built by those who pair that with human insight, empathy, and creativity. If we stay humble, we stay awake, and that’s how we steer wisely through transformation. That’s how we build something better. We want to work with clients who share this mindset, who embrace change, lead with heart, and believe in humans as the real force behind innovation. We believe in humans who stay humble, and learn how to ride the wave of change.

About Marco

Marco Trombetti is a computer scientist, entrepreneur, and investor. In 1999, he founded Translated, which pioneered the symbiotic use of artificial intelligence in the world of professional translation and is recognized as the industry leader. With the profits from Translated, Marco founded Pi Campus, a venture capital firm that invests in startups in their initial phase, and Pi School, an innovative educational institution to create a new class of artificial intelligence specialists. He describes himself as the worst sailor among those ever named Sailor of the Year.