AI’s ‘insane’ translation mistakes endanger US asylum cases

Migrants wait for an aid worker to help charge their cellphones after gathering between the primary and secondary border fences between Mexico and the United States as they await processing by U.S immigration in San Diego, US. — Reuters

WASHINGTON: Names translated as months of the year, incorrect time frames and mixed-up pronouns – the everyday failings of AI-driven translation apps are causing havoc in the US asylum system, critics say.

“We have countless examples of this nature,” said Ariel Koren, founder of Respond Crisis Translation, a global collective that has translated more than 13,000 asylum applications, warning that errors can lead to unfounded denials.