Globally Speaking

Hosted by RWS

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Episodes

169

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Expert insights on how to unlock global understanding and grow the value of ideas, data and content.

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60 recent

June 4, 2026

Cultural Intelligence Series – AI in life sciences - the green zone, the red zone and what comes next

How do you introduce AI into one of the world’s most regulated industries? Dan Herron, Global VP of Digital Health at RWS, joins the Cultural Intelligence Podcast to discuss how life sciences teams can responsibly apply AI in clinical operations, COAs, and linguistic validation: * Why life sciences is uniquely complex for AI adoption, and why regulation, bias, and documentation matter so much * How AI can support faster workflows in low risk areas (green zones), while a human in the loop remains essential for patient facing and regulated content (red zones) * Why the future of linguistic validation is about responsible modernization, not automation for its own sake A conversation on AI with guardrails, the human in the loop imperative, and why the industry can’t afford to wait for someone else to go first.

May 21, 2026

Is your digital communication truly accessible to everyone?

In this Globally Speaking episode, we sit down with Lisa Riemers and Matisse Hamel-Nelis, authors of "Accessible Communications", to explore how to move beyond checkbox compliance and build communication that genuinely works for all. Key topics covered: * Why accessibility shouldn’t be just a legal requirement * The "digital curb cut effect": how accessibility features benefit everyone * Common myths (no, accessible content doesn't have to be boring!) * AI as a double-edged sword for accessibility * Simple habits you can start today Whether you're a communications pro or just getting started, this episode will change how you think about the content you create. Find Lisa and Matisse's book "Accessible Communications" here: https://www.koganpage.com/marketing-communications/accessible-communications-9781398621848 It’s also available on Amazon and wherever you buy your books!

April 16, 2026

Cultural Intelligence Series - What it takes to make enterprise AI work in the real world

When AI POCs shine in isolation… but struggle at enterprise scale. Host Marine Esquenet welcomes Matt Hardy to explore why AI prototypes dazzle in demos yet struggle in production, and how cultural intelligence can bridge that gap. Matt unpacks real challenges: * Why AI POCs look flawless alone but break under production pressures * What separates "working demos" from trusted, adopted enterprise systems * How context, culture, and edge cases redefine "good" across markets Don't miss Matt's practical playbook for scaling AI across markets, functions, and those tricky edge cases. A must for any enterprise leader!

March 20, 2026

Cultural Intelligence Series - When AI goes global: Culture, trust and the limits of scale

In this first episode of The Cultural Intelligence Series, host Marine Esquenet sits down with Marina Pantcheva to explore what happens when global growth moves faster than our ability to manage meaning, context and trust. Marina helps us unpack: - Why culture remains one of the hardest variables for global leaders to master but also the easiest to underestimate - The real-world risks of one-size-fits-all communication across markets - What leaders must rethink to ensure their global strategies truly resonate across cultures 💡 Don’t miss Marina’s recipe for cultural confidence, blending curiosity, empathy and local insight into every decision. A powerful start to our series on Cultural Intelligence.

March 5, 2026

Can AI help bring underrepresented languages onto the global map?

This International Women's Day, three amazing women working with AI, language, and culture in RWS offices around the world reveal how human expertise is what makes AI truly work for authentic global connections. On this occasion, Francesca Farrell (Strategic Account Director at RWS & in charge of the Women's ERG pillar at RWS) hosts Joana Alarcão (European Portuguese Language Manager based in Porto), Joy Ngaphu (Senior Associate Language Specialist for African languages), & Jen Jooste (Talent Manager based in Cape Town). Together, they share powerful insights on: • How AI can put less-spread languages on the global map • Adapting communication styles based on context/age • Why governments are racing to catch up with tech • Why local-feeling apps often win in local markets P.S. Joy's greeting rituals in Xhosa blew our minds! Don't miss this part! Happy International Women's Day! 👩‍💻 👩‍💻 👩‍💻

February 26, 2026

Is studio-free dubbing really around the corner?

Is studio-free dubbing really around the corner? AI voices are improving fast. But can they truly replace actors – and should they? In our latest Globally Speaking Podcast episode, Michael Wayne (Head of Media & Entertainment at RWS) and Justin Beaudin (Founder & CEO of Adapt) come together to separate what’s possible from what’s pure hype. They unpack: * Where synthetic voices really work * Where they still fail * And what it’ll take to realistically rival traditional dubbing Hear why “one-click magic” isn’t real, and get some insights on how to create dubs that scale fast, stay true to your brand and actually sound right. If you’re weighing up AI vs human dubbing, or figuring out how to combine both in real workflows, this episode is for you. P.S. Don’t miss Justin’s brilliant “layer cake” breakdown of the AI stack – plus the quick-fire round where both guests tackle the tough questions.

December 17, 2025

Ahead of the AI game: IP perspectives on adoption, barriers & Human-AI balance

Did you know 92% of IP professionals plan to try AI, yet 79% cite accuracy as a top barrier? Generative AI is reshaping the IP world, but are today’s tools truly delivering? In this new episode of the Globally Speaking podcast, we dive into the findings of RWS’s “Ahead of the Game” survey, unpacking how IP professionals are using AI today, where it falls short, and what needs to change. RWS CEO of Protect, James Lacey, sits down with RWS Protect Head of Innovation, Anthony Brennand, to explore how the IP industry, which has been externally characterised as conservative, is rapidly adopting AI while remaining risk averse. They discuss IP team expectations, the essential role of human expertise, and some key data-backed insights: * 92% of respondents intend to try AI solutions, with 55% already testing multiple tools * IP teams anticipate 20–30% of workflows fully automated by AI, 40–60% enhanced, and 20–30% remaining human-led * Top barriers: accuracy/reliability (79%) and security/data protection (62%) * High satisfaction with IP translation tools; low marks for patent drafting solutions Get your free copy of the “Ahead of the Game” IP survey report: https://www.rws.com/intellectual-property-solutions/resources/why-its-time-for-ip-to-think-bigger-with-ai/

November 17, 2025

Discover how AI is rewriting localization with the Translation Technology Insights 2025 report

Ready to glimpse the future of translation technology? The revolution is happening now! And we condensed all the insights in the new Translation Technology Insights 2025 report! AI, shifting market dynamics and rapid tech adoption are transforming localization. Dive into the latest episode of the Globally Speaking podcast to discover how these changes impact teams, workflows, and industry leaders worldwide. Join RWS Senior Product Marketing Manager Nicole Loney as she explores fresh trends, real challenges, and game-changing opportunities. Whether you’re leading a localization team or shaping strategy, this episode is packed with actionable insights: * How AI and automation are reinventing workflows * Innovative ways to tackle budget pressures * The changing roles of LSPs and corporate teams * How to build trust in AI-powered localization Don’t miss practical tips to adapt and thrive in a fast-evolving industry. Grab your free copy of the TTI report: [https://www.rws.com/about/translation-technology-insights/ ](https://www.rws.com/about/translation-technology-insights/) Dive back into the "Riding the AI shockwave report": [https://www.rws.com/about/riding-the-ai-shockwave/](https://www.rws.com/about/riding-the-ai-shockwave/ "https\://www.rws.com/about/riding-the-ai-shockwave/")

October 21, 2025

Your guide to selecting the right LLM

Ever find yourself wondering which AI model works best for different needs, whether it’s planning your next trip or boosting productivity at work? In this episode of the Globally Speaking Podcast, host Çetin Amirak sits down with Tomáš Burkert, Technical Lead, linguist, and AI expert with TrainAI by RWS, to unpack the art and science of choosing the right large language model (LLM). Tomas shares real-life examples, from using Gemini to plan Amsterdam getaways to tapping Claude Sonnet for smarter coding and explains why the secret to AI success lies in continuous benchmarking and clever prompt engineering. Together, they discuss insights from our TrainAI [LLM Synthetic Data Generation Study](https://www.rws.com/artificial-intelligence/train-ai-data-services/llm-synthetic-data-gen-study/), revealing that no single model tops every task or language. Their key advice? The smartest AI strategy starts with knowing your goals, testing with care, and trusting human expertise to ensure quality, context, and business alignment before automation takes over.

September 25, 2025

Real stories: how local nuances bring global brands to life

Have you ever considered how differently beauty standards and body ideals are perceived from one country to another? Or how, during the pandemic, brands had to navigate not only cultural nuances but also rapidly changing local regulations? These are just some of our favorite real-world challenges explored in the latest episode of the Globally Speaking Podcast. Our host, Stuart Davison, Creative Director at RWS, sits down with creative colleagues at RWS, Sukhi Jhitta, James Marshall, and Silvia Sánchez Fernandez, to uncover how global brands can craft campaigns that truly connect across cultures. You'll hear how they see AI stepping in as a creative partner, helping to speed things up while keeping human authenticity at the heart of emotionally rich campaigns. Our team will even share some behind-the-scenes stories from their time at Cannes Lions 2025. Their key advice? Harness the power of storytelling and involve local experts early. Doing so is essential not only for building authenticity but also for successfully navigating today's complex global challenges.