Localization with AI

AI is the hot topic right now. Many of the conferences I've attended in the past year, it's the main topic of conversation. What it boils down to is that if AI isn't in your workflow, you are getting left behind. One way I've used AI is for Localization. At BigCommerce, there are websites in 9 different languages with some of those languages being localized even more. We currently have 14 sites to update! However, as much as I've taken languages in the past and I dabble in Duolingo, translation isn't my speciality.

Recently, we rolled out the new homepage for BigCommerce. I was tasked with localizing images across locales. So many of our images use text to help tell the story. I had the challenge of finding ways to tell the same or similar story without words and translating what I needed.

Words in image include Return on investment in eight months, Revenue, and Expense

No words in image

Now onto the AI part! While this works, honestly, some of the images are better with words, or else they wouldn't be included in the first place. I worked with our Data team to find the three most utilized translated pages on our site and those I used AI to translate those images. I was able to use the Cube Translator Figma Plug In so the translations would be translated directly on the image I was working with. Because of this AI translator, I was able to get this new image uploaded quickly and efficiently.

Video of how the Cube Translation Figma Plug In Worked for translated a graphic from English to Spanish

Our current translation service, Smartling, also has this capability. We are working with the team to see about getting this added to our account so we will have access to our Glossary.

AI, in this case, made my job so much easier and faster.