ProZ.com Translation Forums

Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA) | Updates on 2FA.

Andrea Capuselli — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 17:16:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA)
Poster: Andrea Capuselli
Post title: Updates on 2FA.

Hi everyone,

Thanks to all who contributed to this discussion, and to EZPZ for bringing the point forward in the first place.

As he notes, two-factor authentication (2FA) is now available on ProZ.com as an optional feature. Users can enable a 6-digit verification code sent to their registered email address at login via their settings page:

[url removed]

This is a first step. We recognize that email-based verification is not the only 2FA method users may prefer. Additional authentication options (including app-based authenticators) are planned as part of the new site architecture currently in development.

Regarding the concern about brute-force attacks: CAPTCHA is one visible layer of protection, but it is not the only safeguard in place. ProZ.com also uses behind-the-scenes protections, including security and traffic monitoring systems such as Cloudflare, which help detect and mitigate automated attacks and suspicious login activity.

Security improvements are being approached in layers. In addition to expanded MFA options, updates to the registration and verification process are also in progress and will be rolled out within the new platform releases. These updates are intended to strengthen account integrity while balancing usability.

If you have specific concerns about your account’s security or privacy, please submit a support request at:
[url removed]

We appreciate the feedback shared here. Security is an ongoing process, and community input plays an important role in helping us prioritize enhancements.

Thank you for taking the time to raise and discuss this!

Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA) | the point

Zea_Mays — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:59:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA)
Poster: Zea_Mays
Post title: the point

[quote]Novian Cahyadi wrote:

[quote]Zea_Mays wrote:
If the measure has rather little risks attached, it is to prefer over additional actions the users need to take in order to get access to the site. The less fuss the more user friendliness.
[/quote]

MFA is supposed to be optional. Even on security and privacy-focused services (e.g., Proton, Tuta, and Bitwarden), MFA is disabled by default. Users who wished to better secure their account can enable MFA. I'm sure they wouldn't mind the extra "fuss" you were talking about. And I know that because I'm one of them.

Those that don't wish to take an additional step can simply use a password. Those that care even less can just use passWord123. In the end, we're all responsible for our own actions. [/quote]

In this case the point is that the measure would help limit scammers on the platform.
All major websites use MFA, which is highly recommended by security experts, and give you options to choose from that start from something simple as sms.

But there are some prominent actors that seem to think they can do without or not even verify email addresses, like PayPal(!).
I know this because someone opened a PayPal account with one of my main email addresses (her name is the same as mine), and obviously I was notified on this, but was not asked to confirm it was actually me!
The same person still uses that address to register on various websites that do not verify addresses (like required per GDPR in the EU) and then send me receipts, newsletters etc.
That's another story of course, but it is a sign that security is not taken seriously by many in an online environment where bots are steadily searching for weak spots to abuse for cyber crime.

Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA) | Optional

Novian Cahyadi (X) — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:14:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA)
Poster: Novian Cahyadi (X)
Post title: Optional

[quote]Zea_Mays wrote:
If the measure has rather little risks attached, it is to prefer over additional actions the users need to take in order to get access to the site. The less fuss the more user friendliness.
[/quote]

MFA is supposed to be optional. Even on security and privacy-focused services (e.g., Proton, Tuta, and Bitwarden), MFA is disabled by default. Users who wished to better secure their account can enable MFA. I'm sure they wouldn't mind the extra "fuss" you were talking about. And I know that because I'm one of them.

Those that don't wish to take an additional step can simply use a password. Those that care even less can just use passWord123. In the end, we're all responsible for our own actions.

Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA) | pondering is the key

Zea_Mays — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:37:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA)
Poster: Zea_Mays
Post title: pondering is the key

[quote]Novian Cahyadi wrote:

[quote]Zea_Mays wrote:
Most of the websites where I log in send a code via SMS (I don't think this method is that insecure as stated)[/quote]

No, it is very insecure.

[url removed]

Is it better than no 2FA at all? Arguably yes. But why settle on a flawed method while better options exist?

[/quote]

Nothing new, but the described scam methods are very unlikely to happen en masse (also given the rather rare use of SMS these days vs apps like WhatsApp) and require the users themselfes to act.
It's just a matter of risk weighing vs user experience for security staff: If the measure has rather little risks attached, it is to prefer over additional actions the users need to take in order to get access to the site. The less fuss the more user friendliness.

Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA) | Must manually log out of previous sessions, link below

ezpz — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:21:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA)
Poster: ezpz
Post title: Must manually log out of previous sessions, link below

After enabling 2FA, unlike other websites, ProZ does not log you out of current sessions elsewhere.

I was surprised to see I am still logged in on my laptop, despite having logged in before turning on two-factor authentication.

You must log out manually by going to this page:
[url removed]

I suggest doing this periodically even if using a single computer and browser, as cookie theft is unfortunately common nowadays.

Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA) | No

Novian Cahyadi (X) — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:14:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA)
Poster: Novian Cahyadi (X)
Post title: No

[quote]Zea_Mays wrote:
Most of the websites where I log in send a code via SMS (I don't think this method is that insecure as stated)[/quote]

No, it is very insecure.

[url removed]

Is it better than no 2FA at all? Arguably yes. But why settle on a flawed method while better options exist?

[quote]I oppose authenticator apps though, as I bet they collect data[/quote]

Not if you're using a FOSS authenticator app like Aegis or Ente Auth.

[Edited at 2026-02-23 00:21 GMT]

Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA) | agree

Zea_Mays — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 12:36:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA)
Poster: Zea_Mays
Post title: agree

MFA is standard practice and implemented by many sites. It's also what I suggested ProZ against scammers, as I think it would help contain that serious issue a bit. But in order to work, it must be mandatory.
Most of the websites where I log in send a code via SMS (I don't think this method is that insecure as stated), and in order to not being annoyed with the process on every single site visit, I choose the option to stay logged in.
I oppose authenticator apps though, as I bet they collect data, and the less apps you have to download on your devices the better.

[Bearbeitet am 2026-02-22 13:07 GMT]

Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA) | 2FA via email code is now available

ezpz — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 11:51:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA)
Poster: ezpz
Post title: 2FA via email code is now available

I am not sure when this was implemented by ProZ, but currently two-factor authentication is available through a 6-digit code that is sent to your email every time you log in.

This setting can be toggled here:
[url removed] #user_2fa

It is entirely optional.

This is not as secure, in my opinion, as a typical Authenticator app where you have to scan a QR code / seed for setting up an offline code generator, but this is a second factor, and it is a good start.

Why is there no longer access to pages of past conferences? | Data privacy reasons, I would imagine

Astrid Elke Witte — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 23:28:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Why is there no longer access to pages of past conferences?
Poster: Astrid Elke Witte
Post title: Data privacy reasons, I would imagine

I am also missing the pages too, concerning on-site conferences long ago. They were already gone last year. I suspect that it is something to do with the data privacy laws not allowing anybody or anything to be kept on record for more than a certain length of time - and in fact also not allowing individuals to be mentioned publicly at all.

Why is there no longer access to pages of past conferences?

Christian Schneider — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 19:20:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Why is there no longer access to pages of past conferences?
Poster: Christian Schneider

The pages seem to be gone.

Proz.com Invoicing: ADD TO PROJECT HISTORY? | Thank you!

Andrejs Gorbunovs — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:31:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Proz.com Invoicing: ADD TO PROJECT HISTORY?
Poster: Andrejs Gorbunovs
Post title: Thank you!

The new solution is MUCH better!
Thanks a lot, million billion of clicks saved!

Proz.com Invoicing: ADD TO PROJECT HISTORY?

Andrejs Gorbunovs — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 07:23:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Proz.com Invoicing: ADD TO PROJECT HISTORY?
Poster: Andrejs Gorbunovs

I am getting an annoying pop-up "ADD TO PROJECT HISTORY?" after every action with an invoice (marking as paid, adding additional payment line etc.).
You are adding an additional unnecessary click without adding an option to opt-out of it.
The pop-up needs to have a box "DON'T SHOW AGAIN" so that I don't have to make hundreds of annoying additional clicks for hundreds of invoices.
Please, ask your "designer" to watch some basic UI and UX videos on Youtube before the next "update".

Agencies banned from posting jobs at Proz.com with P badges

Yasutomo Kanazawa — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 07:17:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Agencies banned from posting jobs at Proz.com with P badges
Poster: Yasutomo Kanazawa

I was wondering why Proz does not revoke P badges from agencies listed on the Blue Board wiht P badges who have been banned from posting jobs at Proz.com.

If I remember correctly, members who have P badges but misbehave on Proz can be subject to getting their P badges revoked. Why does this not apply to outsourcers with Prozcom certified PROs? I've seen a couple of outsourcers who have been banned from posting jobs at Proz with low ratings, usually due to non-payment issues but still hold the P badges. In my humble opinion, getting banned from posting jobs on the site due to non-payment issues is intolerable bad behavior and unprofessional, therefore their Pro status should be stripped off.

What do you think?

Please no popups and enough with constantly shoving AI down our throats | Interestingly...

Zea_Mays — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 13:42:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Please no popups and enough with constantly shoving AI down our throats
Poster: Zea_Mays
Post title: Interestingly...

... other language service platforms are not promoting AI - it would be naturally against their (and their members') interest.
So ProZ, quo vadis?

Please no popups and enough with constantly shoving AI down our throats | Imo, there's no point in complaining

writeaway — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 13:37:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Please no popups and enough with constantly shoving AI down our throats
Poster: writeaway
Post title: Imo, there's no point in complaining

This is clearly the route ProZ is taking and the route they are urging for the human translators on the site. CAT tools, MT and now this. It's sad but I don't see ProZ reversing their policy now or in the future.

Please no popups and enough with constantly shoving AI down our throats

Daniel Frisano — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 23:06:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Please no popups and enough with constantly shoving AI down our throats
Poster: Daniel Frisano

The subject says it all. I can't even open the ProZ main page anymore without annoying messages popping up.

Please cease and desist, ProZ.

Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA) | I think Proz staff will find the best solution

expressisverbis — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:05:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA)
Poster: expressisverbis
Post title: I think Proz staff will find the best solution

I'm sure the Proz team will find the best solution to protect themselves and their users when they update the site for good.
I think the reason for so many bugs (not only this one) has to do with the testing they do for the new image of the site... I don't know, I'm not sure.
I don't use to delete everything on my computer at once, such as cookies and the like, but this time I got distracted.
As for the Captcha images, I haven't seen them for a long time, probably since I updated my antivirus software.
However, this time they kept popping up, to the point of irritating me and not having access to the site in any way.
And no, I didn't get my password and username wrong.
My invoicing is done via the Portuguese Tax System. It's the only and legal way for me to do it. So, I that wouldn't be a problem for me.
I would like to thank the staff again for giving me and the others access to the site.
Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to use it and since I'm paying my annual membership fee and I'm no less than anyone else, I think it was a reasonable and fair decision.
If they have done it that way temporarily, I believe they took their precautions to not get hacked or 'exposed to brute-force password discovery'.

Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA) | Optional, added security

ezpz — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:47:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA)
Poster: ezpz
Post title: Optional, added security

[0.] I did a search on this forum before posting. There are no posts requesting 2FA. In my opinion, "for crying out loud" should be reserved for repeated, unwelcome insistence.

1. Other than access to paywalled features, if you are using features such as Invoicing you may want to keep that information private. The question really is not "why" but "how".

2. A strong password is a first-layer deterrent. You should be doing that anyway.

3. 2FA adds a second-layer. The rationale being that if your password is discovered, the hacker still needs your "second password", which directly increases the difficulty of brute-force to gain access.

[4.] For people who logout and clear session cookies, a bigger inconvenience is having to perform between 1-6 ReCaptcha tests to prove they are human. Typing in a 6-digit code, or copy-pasting it, is arguably more convenient.

[5.] As I said, 2FA should be an optional new feature. I do not want you to be obligated to change the way you are currently used to logging in if you do not want to.

Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA) | Why, for crying out loud?

Anton Konashenok — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 01:25:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA)
Poster: Anton Konashenok
Post title: Why, for crying out loud?

Firstly, who needs to brute-force ProZ? What do hackers stand to gain by breaking into a ProZ account? Not much.
Secondly, even if I am wrong and someone wants it, inventing a password that's easy to remember but virtually impossible to brute-force is a trivial exercise, and tutorials on that are all over the web.
Thirdly, 2FA is actually a measure against password theft - protection against brute force is merely a byproduct.
In this situation, the inconvenience of 2FA will outweigh its benefits.

Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA)

ezpz — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 13:40:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Implement 2-factor authentication (2FA/2SV/MFA)
Poster: ezpz

Today we had trouble logging into the site because of a bug with Google Captcha:
- [url removed]

After complaints, site staff/developers temporarily disabled Captcha.

I fear the site is now, temporarily, exposed to brute-force password discovery while this bot-detection measure is disabled.

I think that this risk would be somewhat mitigated by implementing (optional) 2-factor authentication (also called multi-factor auth and two-step verification).

Essentially: after entering your username and password, you are then asked for a one-time pincode for extra security.

Typically, you would set up a OTP-generator by using an app on your phone - scan a QR-code on screen, then verify that the generated 6-digit pincode is correct. There are similar programs available for computers too, where the setup involves simply typing in the secret "seed" (instead of scanning a qr-code).

[There are other possible "factors" too (hardware usb-keys for example), which could be more convenient/secure for some users; but I only want to warn against codes delivered via SMS messages because this is quite insecure.]

An additional benefit of adding 2FA is that ProZ.com could probably save on Captcha costs, by only triggering human verification after cumulative wrong password events:
- 3 stages/webpages loaded during login: Enter user -> Enter pass -> Enter pin
- At stage 1, if user has accumulated more than 1-2 wrong pass events, trigger Captcha before allowing onto stage 2 password-entry.

The site developers are surely better informed about implementation than I will ever be.
I just wanted to post this suggestion to encourage other users like myself to request this as a priority in the currently on-going "site re-design".

Thank you for your consideration

Bottom Feeders and False Pretenses! | I agree!

Korana Lasić — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 18:12:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Bottom Feeders and False Pretenses!
Poster: Korana Lasić
Post title: I agree!

[quote]Daryo wrote:

to include you in their database only so that they can use your data when bidding for contracts, to show off their “great list of in-house translators”

As for “she seems to be new and inexperienced at her job” that well may be true, but she's certainly guided by someone expert in all the dirty trick of the trade.

Some businesses simply can't understand the concept of “honest dealing”. In one of the other professions I practiced, I had one character saying in a moment of unguarded honesty look at that, we didn't scr*w this client and he came back to us for repeat business”, with the tone of someone genuinely surprised! No connection with any translation agency, perish the thought ...

[Edited at 2024-09-30 20:45 GMT] [/quote] Dishonest and very annoying. Unfortunately, they've my resume, diploma, and all info now. They got me this time!

To her apology and added insult to injury of, “perhaps we can still work on projects for which will have a budged that will allow your rates”. I wished her the best in her business endeavours and asked her never to contact me again.

I did say in my previous email that I will tell every interpreter and translator I know how they lead people on even after they are informed of the rates, which, most probably, is the only reason she apologised in the first place.

I still think that a section of the forum dedicated to naming poor or deceptive onboarding practices is a good idea. Again, I'm not talking about putting in quotes for jobs that clearly state “potential”. I quoted on an actual job that takes place 14-16 October and then was asked to complete the onboarding. Never was I told that they aren't even considering me for the interpretation job, but translation collaboration, and never was I asked my rates for translation, so I just assumed I was being shortlisted for the interpreting job.

So, I think you are right. They might well be showing end clients resumes of experienced translators and hiring students, since I've no idea who else would work for EUR 0.027.

Oh well, can't win them all. I just need to be even more careful with new agencies. But if you could believe me it has happened to me that I stated my rates in the initial reply, was asked to complete onboarding, and then they come back with some BS along the lines of “at this moment we can offer you*name any insulting rate*”. This doesn't happen often, but it does happen.

As if some agencies think I'm actually bluffing in my initial emails and once I do complete onboarding, I will confess to my actual rates, which are: “They send me a turnip and this Baldrick in a dress does the work all too happy with my turnip”. :)

Bottom Feeders and False Pretenses! | It looks like they wanted only

Daryo — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 20:44:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Bottom Feeders and False Pretenses!
Poster: Daryo
Post title: It looks like they wanted only

to include you in their database only so that they can use your data when bidding for contracts, to show off their "great list of in-house translators"

As for "she seems to be new and inexperienced at her job" that well may be true, but she's certainly guided by someone expert in all the dirty trick of the trade.

Some businesses simply can't understand the concept of "honest dealing". In one of the other professions I practiced, I had one character saying in a moment of unguarded honesty "look at that, we didn't scr*w this client and he came back to us for repeat business", with the tone of someone genuinely surprised! No connection with any translation agency, perish the thought ...

[Edited at 2024-09-30 20:45 GMT]

Bottom Feeders and False Pretenses! | You are right!

Korana Lasić — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 13:43:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Bottom Feeders and False Pretenses!
Poster: Korana Lasić
Post title: You are right!

[quote]Lieven Malaise wrote:

What about asking to confirm your rate proposal before spending time onboarding? [/quote]

I usually do. I just took this as her considering me for the interpreting job and since my resume does mention translation as well, she just wanted all the info at one place.

She just came back to me saying she is new to the PM position. Perhaps you are right and I am overreacting.

Should have just chalked it up to: Wasting some time, every so often, is part and parcel of our job and moved on! Thanks! Perhaps I just needed to vent. She is new, perhaps she was taught she can haggle the talent down as low as she needs to. She will learn. I overreacted.

Edit: To be fair to me, I can't always repeat my rates twice, that would make me sound rude and unprofessional. I am only talking here about the agencies which do receive your rates and then proceed to onboard you, only to then mention a fraction of your rate they can offer. But I still did overreact, as these incidents are few and far between. Off to the gym to calm myself down. Especially since she seems to be new and inexperienced at her job.

[Edited at 2024-09-27 14:43 GMT]

Bottom Feeders and False Pretenses! | Alternative

Lieven Malaise — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 13:36:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Bottom Feeders and False Pretenses!
Poster: Lieven Malaise
Post title: Alternative

What about asking to confirm your rate proposal before spending time onboarding?

Bottom Feeders and False Pretenses!

Korana Lasić — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 13:25:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Bottom Feeders and False Pretenses!
Poster: Korana Lasić

Can we please have a designated area to make it known to other users if an agency lures us in to doing onboarding on false pretences and then come back with some pittance they are offering as a rate?

I quoted on an interpreting job, my interpreting (on site) rate is EUR 500 for 8 hours and then EUR 100 for each hour over 8 hours. So, given 9-hours-a-day days they were offering, I quoted EUR 600 per day. My travelling + accommodation is paid in advance. This is a reasonable rate but considered very high in my pairs, since South Slavs are the original slaves that gave the English language both the words slave and slovenly, so people in my pairs notoriously undervalue themselves.

Still, my interpreting rate must have put across that I clearly do not care who I am competing against, my rates were very clearly not emblematic of my slave ancestry.

This morning, I get an email asking me to do an onboarding document that wants my translation and interpreting info.

I spend 1.5 hours doing that for this clueless, rude, and unprofessional PM to come back with: We can offer you USD 0.03 per word for translation. This is after I quoted in EUR (the agency is in EU) in the original email (interpreting) and I reiterated I charge in EUR in the onboarding documents.

In 6 years (part-time) 14 full-time -- out of which 5 years as a freelance language professional, I've never wrote back to such a rude and foolish offer, but this morning I have done just that. To ask what on Earth has possessed them to waste my time like this (1.5 hours of my time costs EUR 75), after I quoted a clearly reasonably high rate for interpreting. How many times must a freelancer quote in EUR before they stop pushing USD on them? And -- since they gave me some BS spiel about end clients checking my work and if I provide quality work I can improve my status with their agency -- I've added: Good luck getting quality work for EUR 0.027, you will need it!

I've pivoted to include the US market when the current European war started, and I am having my best year ever, as a freelancer. I am so busy that even after writing back with a very firm “what on Earth possessed you to waste my time like this”, I am still livid she wasted my time in such a rude and unprofessional manner, so I am pleading with the proz.com staff to designate a section where we can tell the other proz.com users about the unprofessional time wasters we never worked with for obvious reasons.

Again, this was not a potential work ad. I quoted for an actual job, she proceeded to ask me to complete the onboarding, only to offer a person who charges EUR 0.08 cents for every word and 0.12 if fuzzy match discounts are to be applied, a 0.027 cents a word rate.

This really is beyond the pale rude, unprofessional, and I would say quite foolish. Is there anything we can do to name agencies that do this? I have really had it with the leading the talent on and similar unprofessional practices?

Does this PM think I am bluffing my way through my profession, and I really would go straight from 0.12 to 0.027 a word?

The AI isn't the biggest problem in our field, it's that we are a Mötley Crüe of characters, of which many undervalue themselves, work for a pittance (whether as PMs or linguists) and then proceed to try to undervalue everyone else in the field.

Is it really fair that we must work with someone to rate them in some way? It can be a different section to BB! Can't we inform of such borderline delusional and certainly rude practices as making a clearly professional linguist go through the onboarding process, only to treat them as some sort of amateur and offer insulting rates?

Forgive me if the text is lacking, I will not be taking time to spruce it up. I've wasted too much time on this incident already.

@proz.com Please consider my suggestion, as it would improve the status of the talent and ensure that the bottom feeding agencies keep the modicum of professionalism about them.

Edit: To clarify, the onboarding document included any imaginable info regarding my interpreting as well as my translation services, including my rates for both.

[Edited at 2024-09-27 21:14 GMT]

Open a new forum to discuss AI | what will stay?

Zea_Mays — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 07:03:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Open a new forum to discuss AI
Poster: Zea_Mays
Post title: what will stay?

The answer is a simple one: AI will stay where it is profitable. Like anything else in the business world.
So just look where AI was already and has become profitable.
As for Nvidia, taking profit has its reasons. After Broadcom lowering its next quarter forecast, the dip accelerated (look at ASML). It does not mean these companies will now heading south, just that their exponential growth has passed a peak for now because demand for their semiconductor products for AI is declining. The decline could also be linked to recession fears in the US and the expeted FED rate cut. But the issue with the high operating costs of AI applications is there, and if companies don't get revenues that are high enough to cover those costs, what will they do?
Of course no one has a crystal ball to dependably predict the future, but there are reasons to assume that money will go where AI applications yield a profit.

Open a new forum to discuss AI | Yes & no

Charlie Bavington — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 15:19:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Open a new forum to discuss AI
Poster: Charlie Bavington
Post title: Yes & no

[quote]Cilian O'Tuama wrote:

But I'll probably let this idea die as it takes 6 or more hours for any input from me to appear. Sorry for wasting your time. [/quote]

I think it's potentially a good idea. The drawbacks, as we have already seen, could be:
a) if you restrict the forum to AI and translation only, there already seems to be 2 established camps. Those who think it's utter crap, and those who think it can (sometimes) deliver a workable rough draft. Actually there might be a 3rd camp of folk who deliver its output as is - I know there are people who spend a lot of time working on prompts to improve the workable drafts to achieve exactly that.
Would anyone change their mind? I suspect the truth might be that one man's crap is another man's workable draft, although different language pairs might produce very different results, which might be interesting to see & analyse.

b) if it was AI in general, no doubt we'd see plenty of confirmation bias. AI pictures of people with 7 fingers (apparently AI is rubbish at hands). Stories like the Nvidia one above - sadly, perhaps, profit-taking and the threat of regulatory investigation do not signal the end of AI, no matter how annoying chat-bots are. But some of those who wish AI would disappear see only what they want to see and disregard the rest (as Simon & G once warbled) & I suspect such a forum could rapidly become pointless. I'd enjoy a rational discussion about the mechanics of how exactly the deniers envisage the complete removal of AI from modern life, but I'm not sure I'd get one :-)

Open a new forum to discuss AI | How

Lingua 5B — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 16:31:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Open a new forum to discuss AI
Poster: Lingua 5B
Post title: How

[quote]Zea_Mays wrote: while investors are asking for proof of AI's profitability. [/quote]

How will this be provided? They are asking for evidence now that they invested $millions in the product? Shouldn’t they have requested evidence before investing even $1?

[quote] A lot of people love large language models/generative KI bots and using them for all sorts of things. But how many love the huge amount of bot-generated text, all in the same stiff and boring style, that is flooding the web? Who loves "talking" to stubborn bots in a support chat or on the phone, getting the same idiotic answers in an endless loop? Who loves those recognisable AI-generated images that all look the same?
But even if the bots get better, the cost issue remains. And if companies can't convince people to pay that cost in the long run, the bubble will burst (or, let's hope, slowly deflate).
Not to mention the fascination for the individual behind an art work... A machine has no charisma. [/quote]

Not about whether I “love reading them” but whether they convert me into a customer/repeated customer or not. When I get an endless amount of bot-generated answers, it will make me go away and not buy that company’s goods/sevices. Because I need precise and customized answers to 1) experience rapport and 2) make a purchasing decision. This indeed has been “measured/researched” on larger data sets and the sought evidence can be provided - they don’t convert, they frustrate customers.

Open a new forum to discuss AI | The hype is over

Zea_Mays — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 16:11:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Open a new forum to discuss AI
Poster: Zea_Mays
Post title: The hype is over

I think AI in general has little chance of "staying" at the moment - simply because it is not profitable.
The data centre and energy costs for AI are extremely high, as is the cost of training them.
As a business, you'll need to make your products profitable, meaning that you make enough money through them to pay their costs plus a profit margin for further investment, dividends for investors, attracting new investors etc.
At the moment, there is little evidence that this will be achieved any time soon. Some of the biggest AI companies, such as Nvidia, have started to lower their revenue forecasts as a sign of declining demand, while investors are asking for proof of AI's profitability.
A lot of people love large language models/generative KI bots and using them for all sorts of things. But how many love the huge amount of bot-generated text, all in the same stiff and boring style, that is flooding the web? Who loves "talking" to stubborn bots in a support chat or on the phone, getting the same idiotic answers in an endless loop? Who loves those recognisable AI-generated images that all look the same?
But even if the bots get better, the cost issue remains. And if companies can't convince people to pay that cost in the long run, the bubble will burst (or, let's hope, slowly deflate).
Not to mention the fascination for the individual behind an art work... A machine has no charisma.

Unsubscribe from job notifications for some outsourcers only | Problem solved

expressisverbis — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 14:11:00 +0000

Forum: ProZ.com suggestions
Topic: Unsubscribe from job notifications for some outsourcers only
Poster: expressisverbis
Post title: Problem solved

Someone (the Asian outsourcer who asked my assistance in an AI task and being native in English) had been harassing me for the past week.
Yesterday, I decided to ask the staff to help me block the person, after my attempts to resolve the issue failed.
They solved the problem very effectively and quickly.
Thanks, staff!