The ATA Chronicle - September/October 2024 - 8

President-Elect | Remaining One-Year Term
mentorship programs
and develop new ones to
support all members of
ATA, especially those who
may be struggling in their
day-to-day operations,
feeling threatened or
intimidated by technology.
This mission is critical and
will be my key objective.
2. AI Integration,
Education, and Ethics:
We need to maximize
outreach to educate
members about AI tools
and how to incorporate
them into workflows to
enhance productivity
while maintaining quality.
We must push for strict
guidelines on the ethical
use of AI to ensure the
highest standards of
professionalism.
3. Certification Standards:
As a certified court
interpreter and U.S.
Department of Statecertified
translator,
I understand the
importance of
maintaining high
professional standards.
I'll work to ensure that
ATA continues to be a
respected body, adapting
our certification processes
to reflect the evolving
nature of our profession
in the age of AI.
4. Industry Collaboration
and Advocacy: I pledge to
continue strengthening
partnerships with T&I
associations domestically
and internationally to
share best practices and
create a unified approach
to address the challenges
and opportunities
presented by AI, including
greater engagement with
policymakers and industry
leaders so that the role of
human translators and
interpreters is recognized
and valued.
5. Recruitment and
Member Retention:
As an ATA member
since 2013, I'm keenly
aware that our ranks
have been dwindling.
Some experienced
professionals have left (or
are thinking of leaving)
the organization, while
younger ones have
their doubts about its
relevancy. I recognize
that. Whether you're
an existing member, a
former member, or are
unaffiliated, I want to
hear from you. Working
together, we can build and
reshape ATA to be a better
and stronger community.
ANDY BENZO, CT
andy@andybenzo.com
In October 2022, after 23
years as a member and
having served in many
different volunteer positions,
I was elected to ATA's Board
of Directors. Your vote of
confidence honored me. One
month later, on November
30, 2022, ChatGPT, an
initial version of artificial
intelligence (AI) for mass
consumption, was released
to the public. I don't have to
explain how this was a major
disruption to our profession.
In February of this year,
we were saddened that
8 The ATA Chronicle | September/October 2024
our President, Veronika
Demichelis, resigned for
health reasons. As a result,
Geoff Koby became president
and I was honored and
humbled by the Board's vote
to appoint me presidentelect.
I'm now running to fill
the remainder of that term.
I've witnessed firsthand
the incredible resilience
and strength of our
Association-a strength
that stems from the passion,
dedication, and expertise of
each and every one of you.
Throughout my journey
with ATA, I've seen our
community come together
to overcome challenges and
seize opportunities with an
unwavering commitment
to excellence in our craft.
Today, as we stand on the
brink of a new era shaped
by AI and other disruptive
technologies, I believe it's
more important than ever to
harness the collective power
of our membership.
Rapid advancements in
technology present both
challenges and opportunities
for our profession. I know we
can navigate these changes
together, ensuring that our
voices are heard and that our
skills remain indispensable.
I'm committed to fostering an
environment where innovation
and tradition coexist and
where we can continue to
elevate our profession while
embracing the tools that can
enhance our work.
As president-elect, I will
focus on:
Empowerment through
Education: We need to
be masters of our craft to
demonstrate that AI is a tool
that by itself cannot and
should not replace competent
professional translators and
interpreters. The focus of
the next conference will be
advanced learning in our
languages, subject matters,
and technology. It's time to
reskill and upskill.
Communication: We need to
communicate to stakeholders
the risks of using AI without
human supervision. ATA
translators and interpreters
are bound by a code of
ethics. We bring to the table
accountability, cultural
sensitivity, and professional
integrity. Human translators
and interpreters are
ambassadors of cultures.
Community and Collaboration:
We need to strengthen
the bonds within our
ATA community through
networking among divisions,
holding division meetings,
and encouraging collaboration
with other associations. This
is the time to unite efforts. We
are all facing the same issues.
Collaboration is crucial because
it brings different perspectives.
Our Association is strong
because of you-the
passionate professionals who
are the heart and soul of ATA.
Together, we can face any
challenge that comes our way
and continue to shape the
future of our profession with
confidence and integrity.
I like to end my talks
with an inspirational quote,
generally from Dr. Seuss, but
this time it's from Stephen
Hawking: " Let us work
together to make the future
a place we want to visit.
Be brave, be determined,
overcome the odds. It can
be done. "
I'm grateful and honored
to be part of this community
and I would be privileged to
serve as your president-elect.
Thank you for your support.
www.atanet.org
http://www.atanet.org
The ATA Chronicle - September/October 2024

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