In March 2023 I asked ChatGPT “Should you let chatGPT translate the Bible into languages that it hasn’t been available in before?” I just asked it for an update…
In 2023 ChatGPT Answered:
“As an AI language model, I am capable of translating text into different languages, including the Bible. However, it is important to note that the translation of the Bible is a sensitive and complex task that requires a deep understanding of the source text, as well as the culture and linguistic nuances of the target language.
While I can accurately translate words and phrases, I am not equipped to provide the necessary contextual and cultural understanding needed for an accurate and meaningful translation of the Bible. Therefore, it is recommended that any translations of the Bible be done by trained human translators who are well-versed in both the source and target languages, as well as the cultural and historical contexts of the Bible.
Additionally, it is important to respect the views and opinions of different religious groups and communities when it comes to translating religious texts like the Bible. Therefore, any decision to translate the Bible into a new language should be made with careful consideration and consultation with the relevant religious authorities and communities.”
Asking in Jan 2025
You have improved and people are now using AI for some tasks to do with Bible Translation. Should we trust you yet?
Thank you for revisiting this important topic! Since the time of that earlier response, AI tools like me have indeed advanced and have become more capable in many tasks, including translation. However, the principles I highlighted still hold true in many ways, though they merit reconsideration in light of technological improvements.
Should AI Be Trusted for Bible Translation?
Capabilities of AI:
AI can now handle linguistic nuances better than before and supports many low-resource languages.
It can accelerate the process by producing initial drafts for human translators, making it a valuable tool in extending access to scripture.
Limitations of AI:
AI lacks the ability to fully understand context, cultural significance, and theological implications. For instance, words or phrases in biblical texts often have layers of meaning that can vary depending on doctrinal interpretation.
The Bible contains poetry, metaphor, and symbolism that require more than linguistic expertise—they require a spiritual, cultural, and historical understanding that goes beyond an algorithm’s capabilities.
Why Human Oversight is Crucial:
Religious texts are not just literature; they shape faith, doctrine, and identity. Errors in translation, even minor, could lead to misinterpretation or controversy.
Collaboration with religious scholars ensures the translation aligns with theological doctrines and is meaningful to the target audience.
Present Best Practices:
AI can act as a supportive tool, not a standalone solution. For instance, organizations like Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International are exploring how AI can assist in their workflows.
Trust in AI depends on transparency about its role. A translation draft generated by AI must be reviewed, revised, and approved by qualified translators and community representatives.
Should AI Be Trusted Yet?
AI can enhance the process, but it should not yet be fully trusted for Bible translation without human involvement. Its strengths lie in facilitating the work, not completing it autonomously. The combination of AI’s speed and human expertise is the most reliable and respectful approach for such a sacred and sensitive task.
So, just to be clear, technology has come a long way and AI is being explored in lots of ways in Bible translation, as you can read at https://ai.sil.org/. Results, in some of the trials so far are encouraging, but this is still about humans, using their own minds, high tech tools, and relying on God.
Oh, and ChatGPT did remind me at the end of it’s article, “ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.”
Peter Brassington
First published Jan. 17, 2025
https://brassingtons.wordpress.com/2025/01/17/update-on-ai-bible-translation-from-ai/