When To Use AI Vs. Humans For Sermon Translation

Why AI Translation Can Be A Game-Changer 

When you think of AI translation for sermons, picture a ministry assistant who is quick, available to help day or night, and is relatively affordable. With their help, you’ll have a translated sermon at your fingertips within seconds. Your sermon will be translated to spread the message to those who otherwise wouldn’t understand it, so everyone feels included. Regardless of the language the message is in, everyone deserves to hear it and feel the connection it brings. Some of the benefits of AI sermon translation include:

• Speed – AI can translate your entire sermon in a matter of seconds, making it ideal for quick turnarounds. In some cases, you can get live sermon translations.
• Cost-Effective – Compared to hiring professional translators, AI sermon translation tools can be quite a bit more affordable, making them a good option for ministries on a budget.
• 24/7 Availability – No need to schedule or wait – AI is ready to work anytime, day or night, regardless of time zones.

Why Human Translation Can Be Ideal

Having a human translator can be ideal depending on the situation. When you need accurate sermon translation that captures not just the words but the heart of your message, humans have the edge. They:

• Provide the human interaction to make it more personal
• Capable of matching tone and intent for emotional impact
• Often become a bridge between cultures, which helps not just with sermons, but with discussions, hospitality, and follow-up ministry.

When AI Is Enough (And When It’s Not)

As a founder of Multitude, and with over 20 years of experience providing professional translation and interpreting services, Enrique recommends asking two simple but powerful questions before deciding if AI is enough:

1. Is your audience internal or external?

• Internal audience: If you’re sending out a daily devotional to your own congregation, your readers are more forgiving, and AI can be the route to go.
  
  
• External audience: If you’re hosting an evangelistic rally, Christmas play, or community outreach event for people who may be hearing from you for the first time, professional sermon translation services are worth the investment. First impressions matter.
  
  

2. Is it a free or paid event?

• Free event: For casual outreach events like block parties or volunteer-led community programs, AI can often do the job.
  
  
• Paid event: If people are buying tickets, traveling, and investing their time—like the Central American church group that spent $300 per ticket to attend a conference—then it’s essential to deliver high-quality, professional sermon translation. Technical mishaps or awkward AI phrasing can leave guests disappointed.

3. What’s your budget look like?

• Do you have room in your budget for a professional translator? If so, a human translation could be up your alley.

• If you can’t afford a human translator, AI is a great and reliable alternative. 

Tools And Resources To Use For Human And AI Translations 

For human translations, Multitude is a highly recommended option. Multitude is an organization that helps various ministries train their volunteers or provide professional translation in any language. They work with the Billy Graham Association, LifeWay, Saddleback Church, Adrian Rogers, Francis Chan, Andy Stanley, and many more. 

For AI translations, Sermon Live is the real-time tool that will make translating your sermons simple. You’ll be able to translate your sermons in 30+ languages with only a 3-second delay.

In Conclusion

While there are benefits for both using AI and humans for sermon translations, it’s up to preference and circumstances for which one to use. When afforded, human translation is a great option, and if it’s not within the budget, AI is a reliable solution. Regardless of the one you choose, these are both solid tools and resources you can use to ensure you have a positive experience.