The Benefits and Challenges of AI Translation Tools in Translation Education at the Tertiary Level: A Systematic Review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.25527

Keywords:

AI translation tools, benefits, challenges, translation education, tertiary level

Abstract

The growth of AI-powered technologies has highlighted transformative impacts. This study presents a systematic review of the benefits and challenges of AI translation tools in tertiary-level translation education. It aims to identify how they support and hinder students and teachers. The data were extracted from 20 peer-reviewed articles (2014-2024) on six academic databases, using standardization and thematic synthesis based on the PRISMA guidelines. The qualitative findings revealed eight core benefits: enhanced translation efficiency, improved vocabulary and grammar, post-editing support, increased learner motivation, professional and technical preparedness, accessibility and inclusion, reflective learning and personalization, and teacher support and pedagogical innovation; and seven key challenges: overreliance on AI, contextual inaccuracies, digital inequity, insufficient training and pedagogical gaps, ethical and privacy concerns, usability issues for senior lecturers, and lack of institutional support and curriculum integration. Valuable insights and recommendations were then offered to refine translation pedagogy with effective AI tool integration.

Author Biographies

  • Nguyen Thi Nhu Ngoc, University of Social Sciences & Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Nguyen Thi Nhu Ngoc, Ph.D. is currently Vice-dean cum Chair of the Department of Translation and Interpreting at the Faculty of English Linguistics and Literature, USSH, VNUHCM. She has been an English teacher and a part-time translator since 1997. Her main research interests are English Teaching, Translation Studies, Comparative Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication. Her third-year translation majors are the co-authors, including Tran Thanh Truc, Nguyen Ngoc Hoang An, Lam Hoang Phat, Nguyen Hua My San, and Tran Nguyen Anh Thu. They are all involved in a university-level research project related to this paper.

  • Tran Thanh Truc, University of Social Sciences & Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Tran Thanh Truc is currently an undergraduate student majoring in Translation and Interpreting at the Faculty of English Linguistics and Literature, USSH, VNUHCM. Her academic interests include Translation Studies, Interpreting, and Literature.

  • Nguyen Ngoc Hoang An, University of Social Sciences & Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Nguyen Ngoc Hoang An is currently an undergraduate student majoring in Translation and Interpreting at the Faculty of English Linguistics and Literature, USSH, VNUHCM. Her academic interests include Translation Studies, Sociolinguistics, and Literature.

  • Lam Hoang Phat, University of Social Sciences & Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Lam Hoang Phat is currently an undergraduate student majoring in British-American Culture & Literature at the Faculty of English Linguistics and Literature, USSH, VNUHCM. His academic interests include Intercultural Communication, British-American Identity & Lifestyle, British-American Poems, and Short Stories.

  • Nguyen Hua My San, University of Social Sciences & Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Nguyen Hua My San is currently an undergraduate student majoring in the Department of English Linguistics and Language Teaching at the Faculty of English Linguistics and Literature, USSH, VNUHCM. Her academic interests include English Teaching, Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication.

  • Tran Nguyen Anh Thu, University of Social Sciences & Humanities, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Tran Nguyen Anh Thu is currently an undergraduate student majoring in Translation and Interpreting at the Faculty of English Linguistics and Literature, USSH, VNUHCM. She also serves as President of the Faculty's Student Association. Her academic interests include Translation Studies, Sociolinguistics, and Literature.

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Published

20-05-2025

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Section

Literature Review

How to Cite

Nguyen, T. N. N., Tran, T. T., Nguyen, N. H. A., Lam, H. P., Nguyen, H. M. S., & Tran, N. A. T. (2025). The Benefits and Challenges of AI Translation Tools in Translation Education at the Tertiary Level: A Systematic Review. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 5(2), 132-148. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.25527

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