At DocsBase Canada, we’re committed to staying ahead of global regulatory changes that impact professional language services. As certified translators, we’re watching the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) regulation with particular attention—especially the newly adopted EU Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act). This landmark law, along with similar initiatives across the world, is reshaping the translation industry in real time.

In this article, we explain how the EU AI Act and other global AI policies are influencing the role, responsibilities, and practices of certified translators in Canada and beyond.

Understanding the EU AI Act

The EU AI Act, formally Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, entered into force on August 1, 2024, and introduces a risk-based framework for regulating AI. Under this model, AI systems are classified into four categories:

Unacceptable risk (banned),
High risk (strict oversight),
Limited risk, and
Minimal risk.

Although the word “translation” appears only a few times in the legislation, its practical implications for language professionals are significant. The Act imposes requirements for transparency, data governance, human oversight, and documentation on AI applications—including those used for machine translation (MT) and generative language tools.

For certified translators, this means adapting to new standards of responsibility and disclosure, particularly when AI tools are used in any part of the translation process.

The Translator’s Role in the Age of Regulated AI

1. Transparency and Disclosure Are Now Mandatory

If AI tools like DeepL, Google Translate, or GPT-powered solutions are used in producing a translation, clients must be clearly informed, unless a human professional has reviewed the output and assumed full responsibility. This applies especially to legal, medical, and immigration documents, which often fall into high-risk categories due to their critical nature.

At DocsBase Canada, we are strengthening our internal protocols to ensure our certified translators disclose any AI use and clarify when the final document has undergone human revision.

2. Human Oversight Is Essential

For certified translations, human involvement isn’t just best practice—it’s now a regulatory requirement in many cases. AI may be used as a tool, but it cannot replace the expert judgment, context awareness, or ethical accountability of a professional translator. Particularly for certified translations used in immigration, court proceedings, or academic credential evaluations, human oversight remains non-negotiable.

3. Protecting Data Privacy and Confidentiality

The EU AI Act and related policies underscore the importance of data protection, particularly under the EU’s GDPR. AI translation tools that log user input could risk exposing confidential or personal data. Certified translators must therefore use AI tools that respect data privacy—or avoid them altogether for sensitive documents.

At DocsBase Canada, we have strict internal controls in place to ensure all personal data is treated securely and ethically, whether AI is involved or not.

Global Policy Trends Affecting Translators

Canada: Anticipating the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA)

Canada’s federal government is currently developing its own AI legislation under Bill C-27 and the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA). While still in draft stages, the bill sets the groundwork for ensuring AI is used safely, transparently, and with human oversight. For certified translators operating in Canada, this is a clear signal: our profession will soon be expected to comply with these standards domestically as well.

Council of Europe: Global AI Framework

The Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, adopted in May 2024, is another milestone. Open to countries beyond Europe—including Canada—it emphasizes ethical use, human rights, and public accountability in AI deployment. Translators working with clients abroad, especially in jurisdictions adopting this treaty, will need to demonstrate their compliance with global norms for transparency and risk mitigation.

Adapting Translation Workflows: The DocsBase Approach

As AI tools become more prevalent, we at DocsBase Canada are adapting by integrating them responsibly into our certified translation workflows. Our strategy includes:

Machine Translation Post-Editing (MTPE): When appropriate, we use AI-generated drafts and then refine them thoroughly with expert human review to meet certified standards.
Clear Documentation: We maintain full records of translation methods used, including whether AI-assisted tools played any role and who signed off on the final version.
Client Assurance: We explicitly disclose our use of AI where necessary, and every certified translation is completed or validated by a qualified human translator.
Training and Standards: We invest in continued training for our team on regulatory developments, AI literacy, and privacy compliance.

The Future of Certified Translation in a Regulated AI World

The EU AI Act and similar global policies do not signal the end of human translation—they reaffirm its importance. Certified translators are no longer simply providers of linguistic services; we are now also data stewards, compliance officers, and ethical gatekeepers.

At DocsBase Canada, we embrace this evolving role. We’re committed to maintaining the trust of our clients by providing certified translations that meet both linguistic and regulatory standards. Whether it’s an immigration application, academic document, legal contract, or medical report, our clients can be confident that their translations are accurate, secure, and legally sound.

Final Thoughts

The AI revolution in translation is here—but with it comes new responsibility. At DocsBase Canada, we see this as an opportunity to lead. As certified translators, our mission remains the same: to deliver trustworthy, professional translations that meet the highest standards of quality and compliance.

How the EU AI Act and Other Global Policies Are Impacting Certified Translators