LATEST ISSUE
March 2026
Kathy Mok: Impact Beyond the Keystrokes
In this year’s women’s issue, we profile two extraordinary ladies in localization: OpenAI’s Kathy Mok and AI translation specialist Fatemeh-Shirin Asgari. Through strong work ethics and incisive leadership, both women are moving language technology forward.
Post Editing
W
e have a tradition at MultiLingual magazine: Every March, in recognition of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we turn our spotlight on the industry’s female professionals — highlighting both their struggles and their triumphs. In the localization field, there’s no shortage of impressive ladies who pair strong work ethics with creative brilliance and incisive leadership.
Two women profiled in this issue exemplify these attributes and more. OpenAI’s Kathy Mok shares her approach to enabling multilingual access in Silicon Valley’s most cutting-edge products. And language technology specialist Fatemeh-Shirin Asgari discusses her inspiring journey from student in Iran to artificial intelligence (AI) leader in Austria — and the barriers she broke along the way.
This issue also features an opinion piece that calls for including more women’s voices in decisions about how we integrate AI into localization systems. Additionally, female authors share their expertise in articles spanning sustainable post-editing workflows, influential business strategies, and inclusive language technologies.
After two exciting years as managing editor of MultiLingual magazine, in March, I’ll be passing the reins to my capable colleagues Cameron Rasmusson and Christine Anthony. It’s been a joy to create issues I’m proud of month after month, with the knowledge that our content is making an impact. I’m grateful to have been part of this vibrant community of likeminded people who share a passion for words and intercultural connection.
To all the women lending their energy and intellect to the language industry, you are seen and appreciated. Continue the good work!
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Column
UNSCRIPTED
Of Course We Should Digitize Every Minority Script — Right?
By Tim Brookes
It’s easy to assume that script digitization is always a means of liberation and access. But for some minority scripts, digitization would be unhelpful or even harmful to the people who use them. The author of this article calls for caution as the language services industry rushes to create digital fonts for every writing system on Earth.
Perspectives
Why Women Must Lead the
Conversation on AI in Localization
In today’s localization industry, leaders who shape how AI is governed and embedded into systems are disproportionately male. The author of this article argues that if women continue to be excluded from AI governance, the industry risks developing flawed and biased systems.
Workflow
MTPE Burnout: Building a More Sustainable Workflow for
Localization Professionals
The author explains why current machine translation post-editing (MTPE) workflows cause mental exhaustion and emotional detachment. She proposes practical steps towards making MTPE more meaningful and sustainable to the benefit of all stakeholders.
Profiles
Kathy Mok: Impact Beyond the Keystrokes
Interview by Renato Beninatto
For Kathy Mok, head of internationalization and localization at OpenAI, the present challenge centers on not only what AI technology can accomplish, but also how humans will shepherd it into a tool that enables genuine communication and trust-building.
Fatemeh-Shirin Asgari: Choosing the Courageous Path
Interview by Mimi Moore
Having immigrated from Iran to Austria, learned multiple foreign languages, and developed diverse skills from translation to AI, Fatemeh-Shirin Asgari knows the value of perseverance and adaptability. She now leads digital language initiatives for Austria’s national railway system. In this interview, she shares the story of her unconventional career path and her greatest lessons learned along the way.
Business
Look Outward: The Association of Translation Companies’ Approach to Overcoming Economic Instability
By Raisa McNab
The ATC has adopted a strategy that aims to analyze and influence the wider British economy rather than focusing solely on the language industry’s own development. Through economic commentary, membership in trade groups, and strategic lobbying, the ATC strives to enable language companies to see what’s coming around the corner and respond proactively.
Artificial Intelligence
Towards Inclusive Natural Language Processing
Why modern language models perpetuate bias and what to do about it
This article explores the linguistic theories that laid the foundation for natural language processing, confronts the ethical risks of allowing machines to speak on our behalf, and presents a new vision for socially responsible AI language models.
Mitigating Hallucinations in AI-Powered Translation
By Olga Beregovaya and Alex Yanishevsky
While AI translation tools can generate hallucinations, the good news is that there are many practical ways to detect and mitigate them. This article delves into the reasons behind the problem and the techniques that can be used to address it.
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Sponsored Content
Turning Complexity Into a Growth Lever
Supported by Translated
Translated’s VP of AI Solutions, John Tinsley, explains how operational fragmentation in localization led to TranslationOS, the first adaptive AI service delivery platform for translation.
PIC-Winning MansaLLM Aims to Bridge the African Language Gap
Supported by LocWorld
LocWorld54’s Process Innovation Challenge winner, Sheriff Issaka of African Languages Lab, discusses MansaLLM, which uses culturally grounded data and human-in-the-loop evaluation to augment linguistic work and promote African language technology on the world stage.
Thinking Outside the Box With Articulated Suggestions
Supported by LocWorld
Articulated Suggestions, developed by Gabriel Fairman of Bureau Works, was runner-up in LocWorld’s 19th Process Innovation Challenge. Its AI translation feature focuses on intent over words, amplifying ideas-level thinking, in a framework that continually adapts to users’ chosen style and voice.
TAG: A Better Way to Harmonize Terminology and LLMs
Supported by LocWorld
TAG, developed by Klaus Fleischmann of Kaleidoscope, was second runner-up in LocWorld’s 19th Process Innovation Challenge. This automated system uses the Model Context Protocol to stream terminology directly to the LLM, ensuring the entire workforce accesses correct, consistent terminology in real time.
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