The University of Human Development (UHD) College of Languages hosted a panel discussion on legal translation and artificial intelligence, exploring the challenges and future job prospects for the sector. The panel featured Mr Alan Abdullah Qadir and Asst Prof. Dr Sabir Hasan Rasul, Head of the UHD English Department, and took place at the Seminar Hall on the UHD campus on 1 November 2026.

The panel explored the complexities of translating legal documents between English, Arabic, and Sorani Kurdish, highlighting differences between Common Law, Civil Law, and Sharia legal systems. It discussed major challenges, including the absence of equivalent legal concepts, inconsistent terminology, differences in grammatical structures, the interpretation of modal verbs such as shall and may, and the shortage of Kurdish legal resources.

Another issue the panel addressed was the opportunities and limitations of artificial intelligence in legal translation, particularly issues relating to accuracy, confidentiality, and professional accountability.

The panel concluded that while artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly significant in all areas of life, it can never be a replacement for human skills and resources in the legal sector, and many other sectors.