Accuracy, Risk, and Translator Agency in AI-Assisted Specialised Translation

Abstract

This article discusses the role of human–AI collaboration in specialised translation, focusing on accuracy, risk and translator agency in high-stakes legal, medical, technical, financial and institutional contexts. It critically synthesises recent research on machine translation, large language models, post-editing, terminology management, translation quality and professional agency, using a conceptual and analytical approach. The study does not present primary empirical data; rather, it attempts to establish a framework for assessing machine-generated output within specialised translation workflows. It is theoretically innovative in combining accuracy, risk and agency within a single relational model and demonstrating how each translation decision is shaped by system output, professional judgement and potential consequences. Accuracy is therefore understood as a multidimensional requirement encompassing linguistic, terminological and conceptual precision, as well as consistency, register, genre conventions and functional appropriateness. Risk refers to the potential for output to be inaccurate, incomplete or inadequately validated, resulting in errors that could affect legal interpretation, medical safety, technical procedures, institutional responsibility or end-user decisions. These concepts are presented in a six-dimensional analytical model that includes system contribution, accuracy issue, risk level, translator response, decision rationale and impact on final quality. The article argues that computational tools can be used for drafting, terminological support, reformulation, post-editing and quality assessment, but cannot serve as stand-alone authorities in specialised translation. Translator agency is thus redefined rather than eradicated: the translator must assess, edit or reject system output, explain decisions and take responsibility for the final product. The proposed framework offers a basis for future conceptual, empirical, pedagogical and professional studies.