“AI Is Not the Strategy – Client Value Is the Strategy”
Interview with Patrik Bulak, Technology & Business Innovation Manager at Skrivanek
Anyone talking about translation today is almost automatically talking about AI. Patrik Bulak sees neither a threat nor a miracle cure in it. For him, the focus is on responsibility, trust and combining technological possibilities with human expertise in a meaningful way. In this interview, he explains why Skrivanek has remained successful for more than 30 years, why flexibility, trust and responsibility matter more than ever and why companies need more than just fast translations.
European Business: Mr. Bulak, Skrivanek has been active since 1994. How has the company evolved over the years?
Patrik Bulak: Originally, we were a traditional language service provider. Translation, interpreting and language training formed our core business, with quality management becoming an important part of our development. Today, we work in a much more technology-driven way. Of course, we still provide translation and localization services, but the needs of our clients are becoming broader. Communication today no longer happens only through documents. Companies work with videos, e-commerce platforms, international digital campaigns and internal training content. That is why multimedia solutions, DTP services and new corporate training formats are gradually becoming part of our broader portfolio as well. AI-related training is one of the first examples of this wider development beyond traditional language courses.
European Business: Many companies are currently wondering whether AI will replace human translators.
Patrik Bulak: I see AI as a tool, not a replacement. That is a major difference. AI can accelerate processes, but it does not take responsibility. That is exactly where our role begins. We advise clients on the right balance between technology and human expertise. Some content can be highly automated, while other content absolutely cannot. In sectors such as legal, medical or finance, mistakes can lead to enormous financial or reputational damage.
European Business: You often talk about a “hybrid workflow.” What do you mean by that?
Patrik Bulak: In many cases, a balanced approach is the right one. In the past, many companies preferred to keep technology in the background. Today, we speak openly about it because clients need to understand what is sufficient for their purpose, where the risks begin and where human expertise is necessary. For me, AI can be the engine, but companies still need the dashboard. They need quality control, terminology management, security and strategic guidance. Our role is to help them choose the right workflow and take responsibility for that choice.
European Business: What role will translators play in the future?
Patrik Bulak: The role is changing, but it is not disappearing. Translators are increasingly becoming reviewers, quality managers and consultants. They remain the responsible experts behind the final result. It reminds me of the time when CAT tools entered the market. Back then, many people were afraid of them. Today, they are completely normal. We are experiencing something very similar with AI.
European Business: Skrivanek operates in 17 countries. How do you maintain a shared company culture across such a broad international footprint?
Patrik Bulak: Through communication and partnership. We hold regular meetings across all countries and stay in constant exchange. At the same time, we try to work in a very human and collaborative way, both internally and externally. Many of our partners have been working with us for many years, in some cases for decades. Honestly, I am very proud of that. We do not see ourselves as an anonymous corporate structure, but as a long-term partner.
European Business: Which values define the company most strongly?
Patrik Bulak: Flexibility is probably the most important one. Markets are constantly changing. Companies that stop evolving eventually lose momentum. At the same time, openness to technology, quality, responsibility and transparency play a major role. We do not simply sell sell one workflow to everyone. We analyze together with the client what truly makes sense.
European Business: What motivates you personally?
Patrik Bulak: : What motivates me is continuous learning and helping teams grow in confidence and capability — turning new technologies and complex ideas into practical workflows teams can use and clear value clients can understand. Right now, many companies believe they simply need to automate as much as possible. But often the more important question is: what should not be automated? That discussion fascinates me.
European Business: Where do you see the future of Skrivanek?
Patrik Bulak: We want to remain a relevant strategic language partner. Not only through geographical growth, but also by developing new content formats, workflows and consulting services. Topics such as AI literacy, language data management and broader language strategy will become increasingly important. In the end, our role is to combine technology, human expertise and trust into practical solutions. That is exactly where our future lies.