Insights on AI-Driven Anxiety and Career Awareness in Translator Education: A Case Study

In recent years, advances in artificial intelligence technologies have intensified discussions about the future of the translation profession. The present study aims to evaluate the occupational career awareness of translation students and their anxiety about artificial intelligence in the context of the translation profession and the relationships between these two variables by using multiple data collection methods. In this framework, Kırklareli University's Department of English Translation and Interpreting was selected as the research sample. The study used multiple data collection techniques and utilized quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches simultaneously. In this regard, demographic and occupational questions, an Artificial Intelligence Anxiety Scale, and an Occupational Career Awareness Scale were administered to the students, and 166 valid questionnaires were collected. In addition, a focus group interview was conducted with the participation of 10 students from different years of study. As a result, translation students' AI anxiety was not at a high level. At the same time, their career awareness was high, and there was no statistical relationship between the two. It was observed that the uncertainty experienced while entering the sector and job search were the main factors that increased AI anxiety. Finally, the majority of the students emphasized that to decrease their anxiety levels, AI-related courses should be included in the curriculum from the first year onwards.