Integrating human–AI collaboration into translation education: A comprehensive protocol for assessment, diagnosis, and strategy development

Abstract

In the era of artificial intelligence (AI), translation education faces pressing challenges to integrate human–machine collaboration into talent cultivation. This study protocol outlines a two-year mixed-methods project that focuses on developing, validating, and applying systematic tools for assessing human–machine collaborative competence among translation students and teaching competence among translation instructors. In the first stage, measurement instruments will be constructed and validated through thematic analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, based on interviews, pilot testing, and large-scale surveys. The second stage will employ grounded theory, structural equation modeling, and regression analysis to identify the factors influencing students’ and teachers’ competence development. The third stage will investigate industry needs through semi-structured interviews with translation service professionals and descriptive statistical analysis across multiple domains. The fourth stage will assess classroom effectiveness via multimodal analysis of teaching and learning processes across five types of universities. Finally, a comprehensive training strategy will be designed, refined through action research pilot implementations, and validated by Delphi consultation with translation educators, industry specialists, and policymakers. By integrating empirical rigor with iterative validation, this study advances theoretical modeling of human–AI collaboration, establishes robust assessment tools for students and teachers, and delivers actionable training strategies that align translation education with evolving professional and industry needs.