10 Years of ISO 17100 at Lingua Technologies
Ten years is a long time in translation.
When Lingua Technologies first became ISO 17100 certified in 2016, artificial intelligence was not dominating conversations about translation. Large language models weren't producing polished multilingual content in seconds, and buyers weren't routinely asking whether a translation should be done by a person, a machine, or some combination of both.
The industry has changed considerably since then.
So have we.
Today, LTI uses technology throughout our translation operations. We have introduced AI-supported workflows, automation and new services under LTI LexisAI to give clients more options when cost, turnaround, volume or existing AI output become part of the decision.
But one thing has not changed:
Our belief that professional human expertise still matters.
That is why our continued ISO 17100 certification remains important to us.
What ISO 17100 represents
ISO 17100 is an international standard specifically developed for translation services.
LTI’s certified scope covers translation services that include revision by a reviser other than the translator. Professional translation is therefore not treated simply as producing a target-language text. Independent revision is built into the certified process.
The standard also addresses the competence of translators, revisers, reviewers and project managers, as well as project preparation, linguistic processes, information handling, feedback and quality control.
Our 2026 surveillance audit
LTI completed its latest ISO 17100 surveillance audit on 15 September 2026.
The auditor found that our systems continued to be effectively implemented and that the assessment supported a recommendation for continued certification.
The assessment recorded:
0 nonconformities
0 observations
1 opportunity for improvement
We are pleased with the result, but more importantly, we value what the audit represents.
Certification is not a certificate that sits on a website.
It requires processes to be maintained, evidence to be produced and practices to stand up to independent scrutiny.
Technology and professional standards can coexist
We do not see ISO 17100 and AI as opposing ideas.
In fact, our surveillance audit did not assess an organisation avoiding technology. The auditor noted that the translation service was delivered on our Odoo platform, and the assessment also confirmed the availability of appropriate industry-specific technology tools.
That reflects how we see the future of translation.
Technology should improve the process.
It should help us work faster, manage information better and create more appropriate options for different types of content.
But technology should not automatically remove professional judgment where it is still required.
That is also the thinking behind LTI LexisAI.
Some content may only need managed AI translation.
Some content benefits from AI-assisted translation with professional human revision and quality assurance.
Existing AI output may need assessment before anyone decides whether it is worth editing.
And some content should continue to follow a fully human translation, revision and QA process.
Human translation is not our legacy product
It's easy to describe traditional human translation as the old model and AI as the new one.
We do not see it that way.
LTI’s Full Human TEP workflow remains an important part of what we offer, particularly for certified, legal, medical, safety-critical, creative, nuanced and high-liability content.
We're not keeping the human route because we are reluctant to change.
We keep it because there are circumstances where professional human translation, independent revision and accountability remain the appropriate standard.
What has changed — and what has not
Over the past decade, translation technology has changed dramatically.
AI has become faster.
Automation has improved.
Buyers have more options.
Turnaround expectations have shortened.
But meaning still matters.
Terminology still matters.
Context still matters.
Revision still matters.
And when getting something wrong has significant consequences, accountability still matters.
So after ten years of ISO 17100 certification, our position is simple:
Technology changes. Our standard does not.
We will continue adopting technology where it makes sense.
And we will continue protecting the role of professional human expertise where it matters.
Human-led. AI-enhanced. Accountable to you.