A Cross Sectional Study of ChatGPT in Translation: Magnitude of Use, Attitudes, and Uncertainties

This preliminary cross-sectional study, focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI), aimed to assess the impact of ChatGPT on translation within an Arab context. It primarily explored the attitudes of a sample of translation teachers and students through semi-structured interviews and projective techniques. Data collection included gathering information about the advantages and challenges that ChatGPT, in comparison to Google Translate, had introduced to the field of translation and translation teaching. The results indicated that nearly all the participants were satisfied with ChatGPT. The results also revealed that most students preferred ChatGPT over Google Translate, while most teachers favored Google Translate. The study also found that the participants recognized both positive and negative aspects of using ChatGPT in translation. Findings also indicated that ChatGPT, as a recent AI-based translation-related technology, is more valuable for mechanical processes of writing and editing translated texts than for tasks requiring judgment, such as fine-tuning and double-checking. While it offers various advantages, AI also presents new challenges that educators and stakeholders need to address accordingly.