Written by Gystilyn O’Brien – June 15, 2019 – ghostwriting for Andovar under Archipelago Communications. Published.
The internet has come a long way since the days of box Apple computers and floppy discs. With emerging tech disruptions and advancements, we achieve better skills at shaping the internet into something accessible and useful. Tech disruptions are the evolutionary changes of the Internet, such as Web 0.0 – Web 0.5. In each upgrade, we gain greater control of our systems to shape and use it to our desires.
What defines Web 0.0 – 0.5
Web 0.0: Developing the Internet – closed systems – existed solely between those first computer systems which connected UCLA in Los Angeles, California, and University Sanford, California, USA.
Web 0.1: Existed pre-1999 and was a ‘read-only’ static web. The first online shopping carts were created at this time, though input or feedback was still in pre-development.
Web 0.2: This is the “Read-Write-Publish” period that launched applications such as LiveJournal and Blogger.
Web 0.3: Is the web you know the best today. This is the semantic executing web, where computer-to-computer systems have become automated to backend processes. This is the birth of modern translation pipeline (MTP): the content data and the metadata. Personalization has also seen an incredible leap forward, with the ability for users to code and analyze data. We also have the application of Ubiquitous AI which refers to the presence of artificial intelligence (AI) in our machines, applications, and processes.
Web 0.4: The mobile web which connects devices in the real and virtual world in real-time. This is your phone, Bluetooth, smartwatch, and virtual reality (VR) systems.
Web 0.5: This is an intriguing phase because it’s presently in its developing stages. This is the introduction of the Intelligent Web, or the Emotional Web. Quantum Computing (QC) will allow us to encode data within particles, which will change how we share information. This will allow systems to measure feelings, wants, and desires, and to help us expedite our personal life processes. From the perspective of biotechnology this integration can mean that our AI will be able to imagine and fix problems before we’ve noticed them–even on a personal biological level.
The S-Curve
S-curve is a data scale expressing how there is an expansion of scalability. That is to say, what was once accessible to a few becomes, over time, accessible to many. The S-curve, in this case, represents proprietary services, tools, utilities, and features. Just as in building a house, once the foundations are laid, like proprietary, then you build up, adding services, tools, utilities and lastly features, such as personalization.
The S-curve is important to consider in the development of technologies, as is it a requirement of evolution for systems to expand and grow. By following this model the prediction of transition regarding machine translation (MT) to computer-assisted translation (CAT) to artificial intelligence (AI), then quantum computing (QC) is inevitable.
Machine Translation (MT) Pro’s and Con’s
Machine translation has a lot to offer. A great deal of MT is the execution of backend coding. This is particularly accurate when it comes to finances, like exchanging currencies. Paired with AI, MT isn’t going anywhere with our current coding system as it’s been fully integrated. With Web 0.5 we will see the introduction of a new system format that will begin to integrate the new AI QC systems, which will not only eliminate MT but the way we fundamentally interact with code and process. It will be tech disruptions like Web 0.6-0.7 where we will really see a shift in technology, where hardware and software will be phased out and replaced with AI/QC-compatible ware.
In our current web rendition, MT on the front end has one major drawback in translation and it’s that computer-to-computer translation lacks the ability to discern culture, locale, and social differences. Trying to get a correct translation from Google Translate is almost impossible, as the system is set to translate via dictionary and not social dialect. This means mistranslation is a huge problem when it comes to MT. At its base, MT is not intuitive, and that is quickly becoming an issue as intuitive AI begins to show up in more systems.
End of the Computer Assisted Translation Era?
Computer-assisted translation, or CAT, is the process in which human translators use computer software and hardware to support and facilitate translation. At this time, it is the best guarantee to clear and concise translation. Computer-assisted translation process can include writing systems specific to regional (locale) translation (software localization) with document editors, terminology management, and translation memory.
CAT is probably the one system in computer automation that keeps humans in the daily process. With CAT, the need for human eyes to review work is still an integrated part of the system which makes it both the most human aspect of the system, and also offers the highest potential for context success or flaw. Where MT is not intuitive and thus cannot translate with precision, humans can sense the nature of the work and change it appropriately, ideally to yield correct locale lingo.
We will likely see an end to CAT systems in the next decade with the advancement of AI as humans have the potential to suffer interest of misguidance, misinterpretation, or biased opinion towards the content. Theoretically, given AI’s lack of social interest or emotional bias, AI will be able to translate within the correct locale meaning without bias. With QC, AI will be able to measure the tone and emotional reception of words and apply translation within the locale context without misinterpretation.
Andovar’s Guarantee to Keeping with the Times
At Andovar, we are as interested as you are in the evolutionary steps of the Internet. We want to be right there at the forefront of technology disruptions, integrating new system updates as they become available. With that in mind, our staff has practiced long and hard to become experts in the best systems presently available, and that is CAT. Our team is prepared to help you access the best translation hardware and software available with the promise that as soon as new tech is available we will be there to help you smoothly transition into the future. Andover’s Language Technology Tools are here to make your life a little easier.