As we reflect on another exciting year in the language service provider (LSP) industry, PGLS executives are also considering the future. Between the rise of generative AI, evolving geopolitics, emerging high-growth markets, and accelerating demand for scalable yet tailored solutions, we expect the year ahead to be dynamic.
Our internal experts predict that language services will continue to evolve its all-new, AI-enabled value proposition. These tools are opening doors for LSPs to expand their offerings, from overcoming language barriers to enabling even broader strategic goals.
Here is what our executives have to say about 2025, which they are calling the “Year of Transformation.”
Meet the PGLS Executives
Founder & CEO
VP of Technology
VP of Operations
VP of Finance
VP of Human Resources
Where is the language services industry headed in 2025?
Mohamed Hussein, on transformation
2025 will not be a typical year. Our changing industry is poised to transform the means of human connection. The ascent of speech AI technologies and native large language models (LLMs) present scaled opportunities for rich, nuanced language products—but only if expertly deployed with context-specific data.
Gilberto Segura, on tech evolutions
The rise of agentic LLMs is transforming everyday workflows, but chatter about innovative new modalities, such as speech-to-speech or even multimodality X-to-Y combinations, such as speech-to-video, is gaining traction. Customers will continue to ask, “Which engine/model is the best?” The answer will continue to be, “The one that works best for your use case.”
Kenneth Anders, on globalization
The demand for language services will surge as globalization accelerates and organizations seek to expand into high-growth markets. Regulatory pressures and increased public awareness around language access, especially in critical service sectors like international commerce, healthcare, and legal will continue to drive growth.
Sarah Hamilton, on linguist talent
As much as we see the industry bracing itself for a trend towards generative AI and software solutions, the individuals performing the services in our community are always going to be needed. PGLS has always kept a human-centric approach in this industry, and this year, we are going to see a swing back to the importance and value of language service providers as individuals.
John Redd, on mergers and acquisitions
The momentum from mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in 2024 should continue into 2025, and it may even accelerate. Private equity-backed companies have been buying up mid-market-sized companies to create larger LSPs, putting pressure on increasing valuations and achieving economies of scale.
Where will AI and machine translation play a role?
Mohamed Hussein, on AI’s value proposition
This rapid paradigm shift comes with an urgent need for responsibility. As AI continues to transform our relationship to language, and to one another, increased controls regarding privacy and compliance, risk management, and intellectual property will strengthen AI’s value proposition.
Gilberto Segura, on balance
There will continue to be tension between in-human capacity and AI-powered outputs, and both sides will press to establish a balance. In response, retrieval augmented generation (RAG) models and smaller LLMs will become more common. Certain semantic and other technologies will establish a more knowledge-based sense of veracity in LLM content, with fewer instances of hallucination, but standards for validation and accuracy must be established.
Kenneth Anders, on human expertise
We must embrace AI as a partner rather than a threat while remaining vigilant against its misuse. In critical contexts like healthcare diagnoses or legal proceedings, human expertise is still irreplaceable. The nuances of language, tone, and cultural sensitivity require human judgment to ensure accuracy and clarity.
Sarah Hamilton, on productivity
As in most industries, we will see an improvement in efficiency and productivity thanks to AI. This will allow our team to provide more strategic and comprehensive support to clients.
Which key challenges are PGLS clients and partners facing?
Mohamed Hussein, on expanding partnerships
LLMs become more valuable when leveraged comprehensively across global content needs. LSPs will need to tap into this to increase their value and stickiness through more expansive global partnerships.
Gilberto Segura, on quality
Challenges of market commoditization will force a return to quality assessment. Unsupervised AI processes can churn out translations in another language, but are they any good? The burden of proof falls on the LSP with AI services on offer.
Kenneth Anders, on privacy and security
Under a rapid technological transition, ensuring data privacy and security will be a leading challenge. Protecting client data has to be priority number one.
Sarah Hamilton, on client budgets
We will continue to see a squeeze from the top when it comes to client investment in language solutions and from the bottom when it comes to the perception of language professionals that we work in a high-risk, low-yield environment.
How will PGLS solve key challenges in partnership with its clients?
Sarah Hamilton, on differentiated solutions
The standard industry model has brought language services too late into the customer journey. We are positioning ourselves differently: playing a comprehensive part in eliminating language barriers to drive customer satisfaction and seamless access to business services. This is a win-win for our clients.
John Redd, on comprehensive partnerships
PGLS works with our clients on a comprehensive basis because long-term relationships create optimal conditions for success. Clients are looking for companies that understand their unique requirements and industry in a way that helps them build higher-value, integrated solutions to solve emerging challenges. Deeper collaborations enable the formation of sustainable language programs that address unique language access requirements, keep technology current, and streamline costs.
Kenneth Anders, on human connection
PGLS is committed to blending human expertise with cutting-edge technology to deliver high-quality and efficient services. We are investing in AI to enhance productivity but will always keep human connection at the core of our business to ensure quality and accuracy.
How does PGLS make a difference?
Mohamed Hussein, on transformation
PGLS makes a difference with purpose-built solutions that blend the irreplaceable elements of human capabilities and top-shelf products. By embracing industry evolutions and retaining the best linguists and most innovative tech leaders, we are showing up in 2025 with the same commitment to excellence and a transformative vision for the future of language services.
Kenneth Anders, on empowering clients
At PGLS, we don’t just provide services, we create solutions that empower clients to communicate effectively across languages and cultures. Our emphasis on quality, cultural competency, appropriate technology, and client partnerships is what truly makes a difference.
Gilberto Segura, on advanced technology
PGLS has begun working on agentic language evaluation, measurement, and LLM-driven language access tools that use dynamic insights to help public and private institutions better adapt to changing populations. We are also supporting an industry effort to establish evaluation and qualitative criteria for generated content.
John Redd, on client relationships
As a customer-centered company, PGLS recognizes we are providing solutions to our clients as well as our clients’ end customers. Understanding the needs of all stakeholders can lead to collaborative opportunities to solve challenges comprehensively with language services.
Sarah Hamilton, on service commitments
We are not just a service provider. We are educators through Piedmont Academy, philanthropists through PGLS Cares, and leaders in developing product-driven solutions to help our clients and their customers enjoy seamless experiences. When we see hardship or challenges in our industry, we put all our efforts into solving them, and we do it with creativity and care.
Embracing Transformation in 2025
There is much to be excited about in the year ahead. With a roadmap defined by transformation (and perhaps a few surprises!), you won’t want to miss a moment. Subscribe to our channels —LinkedIn, the PGLS blog, and the PGLS Pulse—to stay ahead of the curve with analysis, news, and exclusive insights.