‘Tentacles squelching wetly’: the human subtitle writers under threat from AI

The article discusses the threat that artificial intelligence (AI) poses to the subtitle writing industry, particularly for subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH). While AI is expected to simplify the subtitling process, subtitle writers argue that it is an art that requires human expertise. Practitioners of SDH, such as Max Deryagin and Meredith Cannella, emphasize that the industry is being devalued in the age of AI. They argue that AI tools have not significantly reduced the time it takes to complete subtitle projects, contrary to the common assumption. The article highlights the concern that AI may eventually replace human subtitle writers, even though their work is considered an art form that requires specialized skills. The article suggests that the SDH industry needs to be recognized for the valuable service it provides, and that human involvement is still essential in making subtitles effective.