1 Vol 17 | No.4 | July-August | 2025 Continuous publication e5312 UNIVERSIDAD Y SOCIEDAD | Have Scientific of the University of Cienfuegos | ISSN: 2218-3620 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial- NoDerivatives 4.0 International License TRADUCCIÓN EN LA ERA DIGITAL: UN ESTUDIO COMPARATIVO DE LOS ENFOQUES DE IA Y HUMANOS IN THE DIGITAL ERA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF AI AND HUMAN APPROACHES TRANSLATION Eldar Avaz Shahgaldiyev 1* E-mail: eldar.shahgaldiyev@au.edu.az ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3726-5552 Aysu Atamoglan Mirzayeva 1 E-mail : aysu.mirzayeva@au.edu.az ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6692-1182 Ogtay Asif Ismail 1 E-mail : ogtay.ismayil@au.edu.az ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6955-9978 Aytan Shamsi Pirmammadova 1 E-mail : aytan.s.pirmammadova@au.edu.az ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2691-4524 Gunel Rzagulu Ahmadova 1 E-mail: gunel.ahmadova@au.edu.az ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5270-4024 1 Azerbaijan University. Azerbaijan. *Corresponding author ABSTRACT The goal of this research is to compare human translators with AI-powered machine translation systems. The study contrasts the two translation approaches with regard to their linguistic accuracy, semantic depth, and adaptability to different contexts. By using the frameworks of dynamic and formal equivalence theories, the study delves into the topic of translation quality. It brings to light fundamental differences between computer and human comprehension of mea- ning, cultural nuance, and colloquial expressions. It was found that while deep learning models and neural networks have greatly improved machine translation, human translators continue to excel in areas such as pragmatic context, ambiguity resolution, and polysemic management. The research uncovers ongoing problems with grammatical struc- ture, lexical equivalence, and discourse coherence in machine-generated outputs. The research also emphasizes the importance of human cognition in preserving emotional tone and semantic intent. Results show that machine translation is more useful when used in conjunction with human translators than on its own, even though machine translation is fast and scalable. However, hybrid models, which include both human and AI-driven components, hold promise for the future as a means to improve precision and cultural awareness. Keywords: AI, Translation, Comparative analysis, Machine translation, Linguistic problems. RESUMEN El objetivo de esta investigación es comparar traductores humanos con sistemas de traducción automática basados en IA. El estudio contrasta ambos enfoques de traducción en cuanto a su precisión lingüística, profundidad semánti- ca y adaptabilidad a diferentes contextos. Utilizando los marcos de las teorías de equivalencia dinámica y formal, el estudio profundiza en el tema de la calidad de la traducción. Pone de manifiesto diferencias fundamentales entre la Suggested citation (APA, seventh ed.) Shahgaldiyev, E. A., Mirzayeva, A. A., Ismail, O. A., Pirmammadova, A. S. & Ahmadova, G. R. (2025). Translation in the digital era: A comparative study of AI and human approaches. Universidad y Sociedad, 17(4). e5312. Presentation date: February, 2025 Date of acceptance: June, 2025 Publication date: July, 2025