Together 2026 Speaker Article: Part 2 with Tiago Cruz
How can language service providers and freelance linguists thrive together in a rapidly changing industry? Hear from Tiago Cruz, one of our ELIA Together 2026 speakers, on his event highlights and takeaways:
The language industry is changing faster than ever, and with that acceleration comes pressure: on deadlines, on prices, on technology adoption, and, above all, on people. At ELIA Together 2026, I shared a message that felt increasingly urgent: if LSPs and freelancers want to thrive, not just survive, we need to stop thinking in terms of opposition and start thinking in terms of partnership.
For years, the relationship between LSPs and freelancers was seen as stable and predictable. Today, it feels strained. Reports from Slator and Nimdzi have shown flat or declining growth for many companies, revenue drops across segments, rising price pressure, and an industry reshaped by AI at a pace no one fully controls. It’s no surprise that both sides are feeling the weight, with LSPs juggling efficiency demands and client expectations, and freelancers worried about being replaced, undervalued, or simply overwhelmed.
But the tension we’re experiencing isn’t personal; it’s structural. Speed vs. quality. Cost vs. fair compensation. Automation vs. expertise. Scaling vs. relationships. These aren’t conflicts caused by individuals, they’re symptoms of an industry trying to reinvent itself without losing its soul.
At SMARTIDIOM, we faced those pressures head-on. Staff morale was dropping. Vendors felt disconnected. We were racing to keep up with pricing models, new technologies, and the general “always faster” mindset. Something had to change.
So we decided to rebuild. Not with more tools though, but with more trust.
We streamlined workflows with XTRF, but the real transformation happened when we opened communication channels, invited freelancers into our internal discussions, encouraged direct contact with clients, and even placed linguists onsite when it made sense. We invested in training events and committed to adopting AI responsibly. Technology helped us move faster, but people helped us move better.
And the result? Less friction. More transparency. Better quality. Greater belonging. A renewed sense of shared purpose.
The truth is simple: LSPs rely on freelancers for quality, and freelancers rely on LSPs for stability, tools, and structured workflows. AI doesn’t weaken that interdependence, it strengthens it. Machines can accelerate processes, but they can’t replace creativity, judgment, or the human relationships that keep this industry functioning.
The future we’re heading toward isn’t one where humans step aside. It’s one where we design smarter workflows together, where LSPs invest in talent rather than replace it, and freelancers embrace new tools rather than fear them.
If we collaborate instead of commoditizing each other, we can create a healthier, more sustainable ecosystem for everyone involved.
After all, technology may accelerate us, but people are the ones who connect us.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to Tiago to continue the conversation, share your thoughts on this topic here on LinkedIn, and follow this series where we will share more speaker articles from Together 2026.
