“翻译界哈佛”倒闭，AI杀死首个世界名校？

Core Viewpoint - The closure of the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS), known as the "Harvard of Translation," highlights the significant impact of AI on traditional education and professional fields, particularly in translation and interpretation [3][5][10]. Group 1: Closure Announcement - MIIS officially announced it will stop enrolling graduate students by June 2027 due to financial difficulties [3][8]. - The decision to close was described as purely financial, with a significant drop in enrollment and a $14.1 million deficit reported earlier this year [23][9]. - The closure will affect all on-campus graduate programs and some online degree courses, marking the end of an era for many alumni [15][16]. Group 2: Impact of AI on the Translation Industry - The rise of AI translation tools has drastically changed the landscape, with human translators facing significant job threats; a Microsoft report listed interpreters and translators as the most at-risk profession [11][30]. - The enrollment at MIIS has been declining since 2009, with current numbers at 440 students, less than half of the initial target of 850 [30]. - AI advancements, such as real-time translation capabilities, have diminished the competitive edge of human translators, leading to a perception that the profession is no longer viable [30][56]. Group 3: Financial Struggles and Responses - MIIS faced a financial crisis, with efforts to cut staff benefits and expand enrollment proving ineffective, leading to protests from faculty and students [24][25]. - The institution's financial woes were exacerbated by the inability to adapt to the changing demands of the translation industry due to AI [10][30]. - Faculty members voted overwhelmingly to close MIIS within three years, indicating a consensus on the need to return to a more sustainable model [26][27]. Group 4: Future of Translation Profession - Despite the advancements in AI, there remains a belief that professional translators will still be needed for tasks requiring nuanced understanding and context [61][69]. - AI tools, while efficient, still require human oversight for tasks such as terminology management and quality control [62][66]. - The translation profession is evolving, with AI serving as a tool rather than a complete replacement, emphasizing the importance of human expertise [69].