A book-reading application recently generated significant online debate. The app presented itself with the slogan “Classics E-books, Lifetime Ownership” and emphasized four main features: newly translated works in contemporary language, domestic first translations, absence of ads, and the option to permanently own bought content—all at a price of 19,800 South Korean won.
The deal appeared too good to pass up: hundreds of classic books available at the cost of one. User registrations skyrocketed, and popularity grew rapidly. Yet, as readers looked into the translations, they started to question. “Is this an AI-translated text?” After a while, the company replied: “Yes, we employ AI. However, we don’t compromise. We carefully review and examine the translations using the combined knowledge of students from top universities, guaranteeing the best quality. We are confident in both our pricing and translations.”
On further examination, the translations showed many mistakes and unnatural expressions that a human translator—someone responsible for their work—would probably not make. The problem was not the use of AI itself, but the uneven quality and dependability of the translations. As criticism increased, the service ultimately stopped accepting new users.
A lingering question remains: What if perfect machine translation becomes the standard? One reader stated, “Doctors and judges will be replaced by AI—why does translation matter?” Some criticized the publishing industry for its sluggish progress. However, my view is different. Even in such a future, people will still read, write, and translate. Just as athletes still run marathons even with cars, and pitchers still step onto the mound despite pitching machines, it’s not that humans are the only ones capable of these tasks. But there is a unique beauty and importance in human effort. Without believing in this, we would have no reason to do anything or create anything at all.
jasdooit 
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