Can you tell us a bit more about Agidens and what the company does?
Agidens has been automating and optimising industrial production processes for more than 75 years now. We make these processes faster and more efficient, which improves product quality and increases production capacity.
Our engineers work for a wide range of companies in the food & beverage, chemicals, life sciences, and energy sectors.
Another key service we offer is validation and testing. We work with hospitals, for example, checking whether their endoscope cleaning systems, laminar flow cabinets, and cleanrooms do what they’re supposed to do and meet the current guidelines and standards. That way, we guarantee patient safety at no fewer than 90% of all hospitals in Flanders.
How does Agidens differ from its competitors?
Our wide-ranging expertise is what sets us apart. Because we’re experts in process engineering, automation engineering, and validation & compliance, we’re a genuine one-stop shop for our customers. Our team contains no fewer than 50 specialist process engineers, which you don’t often see in Flanders.
Can you give some examples of recent innovations at Agidens?
A few months ago, we launched ValidAId, an AI tool to support our validation consultants as they write their validation reports. The idea is that the consultant enters all the relevant information, such as protocols, guidelines, and other documents, after which the system generates a usable draft report. Especially in the pharmaceutical sector, which is heavily regulated, the tool is a major time saver.
We’re also working on a host of other innovative projects involving data platforms and industrial AI, but these are still in the proof-of-concept phase.
Are there any other ways AI could be implemented in the sector?
Production companies gather a great deal of data, but don’t really do that much with it. With AI, the possibilities are endless. By having AI analyse all that data, for example, we can track down problems and, if needed, adjust the way machines operate.
If we do enough research, we can even automate that process, making those adjustments in real time.
Do you think the industry is hesitant to implement AI?
Both yes and no. There is definitely a demand for AI, but not everyone is fully on board yet. That is particularly true for data storage and security. I suppose it is understandable that companies are hesitant to upload all their data into the cloud.
And of course there’s the human factor too: operators with years of experience have a wealth of practical knowledge that AI simply can’t replace overnight. We are witnessing a slow shift towards using AI to support and optimise processes, though.
Let’s talk about Agidens’ partnership with Blue Lines. Why do you still value copy and translations produced by human beings?
AI is a brilliant tool, but it has its limits. All these AI-generated texts you’re seeing everywhere these days actually drive me mad. Maybe it’s because of the field I’m in, but they all sound the same to me. AI texts never feel entirely natural.
I personally believe you still need a professional writer if you want your text to really hit home with readers. The same applies to translations: when you’re translating a single sentence, you’re fine with DeepL. Anything more than that, though, and you really need a native speaker.
How does Agidens assess the quality of translations? And how do you give feedback?
We tend to compile all the material and then have colleagues who speak the language read through it. We summarise our feedback and pass it on to Blue Lines. You’ve really taken our suggestions on board, which means we rarely have any remarks on your translations these days.
Of course, the colleagues proofreading your translations are engineers. It makes sense that they’d point out different things than a copywriter would. Overly liberal translations of a technical term are a no-no for them, for example. Together, we’re able to strike the right balance between ‘technically correct’ and ‘accessible’ translations.
Would you recommend Blue Lines as a language partner?
We’ve been working with Blue Lines for five years now without ever feeling the need to consider another agency. So that’s a definite yes! You respond quickly and communicate clearly, which is important to us. And I don’t think Blue Lines has ever missed a single deadline. On the contrary: you often deliver translations well before the agreed time.