AI took my job as a translator. I'm starting over at 39

A 39-year-old Cambridge University graduate and chartered translator explains how AI has taken her job after 15 years in the field. She recounts how she became a successful freelance translator, which allowed her to prioritize her family, but that AI began to erode her work over the last 12-18 months. Initially, clients reduced work, with some explicitly stating they were experimenting with AI translation. Recently, her main source of income, accounting for 80% of her earnings, ceased overnight due to the agency automating job allocation with AI, leaving her income at almost zero.

Facing an existential crisis at 39, the translator reflects on her prestigious degree and career path, working at Christie's and a luxury fashion company prior to freelancing. She acknowledges that, from a business perspective, AI can perform translation faster and cheaper, even if it means a slight reduction in quality. She accepts that businesses will prioritize cost savings, and that it is her responsibility to provide for her family, drawing on her Chinese upbringing.

Having overcome past hardships like redundancy, she hopes this period will be another pivotal moment for transformation. She refuses to succumb to despair or victimhood, especially for her two young children, whom she aims to teach resilience. Despite the difficulties, she expresses gratitude for her supportive husband, children, and basic necessities, emphasizing the importance of family stability during tough times. She is prepared to cut back on luxuries while she seeks new income sources.

She believes society needs to brace for the widespread impact of AI, as translation is just one of many jobs being affected. She speculates that AI could eventually impact even traditionally hands-on jobs or reduce incomes to the point where people can no longer afford services. She stresses that everyone needs to figure out how to survive in this new world, and while she has applied for jobs, she acknowledges the challenges of the current job market and the potential dead end for traditional translation work.

With no clear answers, she plans to double down on content creation, believing her voice and personality are unreplicated by AI. Her main channel focuses on helping parents raise multilingual children, while her second channel documents her journey and advocates for personal and societal change. She reflects on the need to redefine what success means for the next generation, advocating for teaching resilience and adaptability rather than solely focusing on traditional academic paths. She also finds solace in mindfulness and Buddhist concepts like impermanence to navigate an uncertain world.