The European Commission's Directorate-General for Translation is taking decisive steps towards shaping the future of multilingual communication in a rapidly advancing age of artificial intelligence. At the 3rd Interinstitutional Terminology Forum held on 22-23 September 2026, critical discussions revolved around the evolving role of terminologists. As AI technologies continue to transform language processing, the challenges and opportunities for terminology professionals become ever more salient. The Directorate-General posed a crucial question: "What is the place of terminology work in an age of artificial intelligence?" This inquiry reflects a growing recognition within the industry of the need to adapt traditional linguistic practices to align with technological advancements.

The forum emphasized that precision and consistency are more than just desirable attributes—they are essential for accurate multilingual communication. Terminologists are pivotal in ensuring that the correct terms are consistently used within specific contexts, thereby maintaining clarity and understanding across languages. The Interinstitutional terminology database, IATE, plays a key role in this, serving as a foundational tool for terminologists across the European Union. As highlighted by the Directorate-General for Translation, the ability of terminologists to deliver contextually relevant terminology contributes significantly to overcoming language barriers in international communication.

Furthermore, the professional attributes of terminologists are evolving in response to the demands of AI and machine translation technologies. Dr. Nicole Keller from the University of Heidelberg, alongside Professor Leonardo Zilio of Université Catholique de Louvain, advocates for a skillset that extends beyond linguistic expertise. As delineated by the Directorate-General, critical thinking, research skills, and the ability to assess information reliability are imperative in navigating the vast data landscape AI presents. These competencies enable terminologists to evaluate AI-generated outputs critically, ensuring that the information curated is both accurate and contextually appropriate.

The discussions at the forum underscore not only the ongoing relevance of terminologists but also the necessity for their role to adapt and expand. As multilingual communication increasingly relies on AI, the expertise of terminologists in maintaining precision is invaluable. According to the EU Translation Centre, their forward-looking strategies will ensure that linguistic professionals remain at the forefront of communication technologies, safeguarding the integrity and clarity of multilingual information in an ever-complex digital world.