Tiago Cruz, a speaker at ELIA Together 2026, emphasizes the urgent need for language service providers (LSPs) and freelance linguists to shift from a competitive mindset to one of partnership in an evolving industry landscape. With reports indicating flat or declining growth and increasing pressures from AI and market demands, both LSPs and freelancers are feeling the strain. Cruz argues that the challenges they face—such as balancing speed with quality and cost with fair compensation—are structural rather than personal.

The key takeaway from Cruz’s insights is the importance of rebuilding trust and collaboration within the localization ecosystem. By streamlining workflows and fostering open communication, companies like SMARTIDIOM have demonstrated that investing in relationships and training can lead to improved quality and a sense of shared purpose. As AI continues to reshape the industry, the interdependence between LSPs and freelancers will only grow stronger, highlighting the need for a cooperative approach to thrive in this changing environment.

Source: elia-association.org