It's January 2026. The receipts are in.

Last year, CSA Research made a bold claim: the industry was entering the "Post-Localization Era." They predicted a shift from the traditional, project-based localization to a post-localization era where AI, risk management, and integrated global content systems make multilingual experiences continuous, autonomous, and embedded across the business.

But did the industry actually deliver?

Join us for a live discussion with four industry veterans to look back at the predictions of 2025 and hold the industry accountable.

Once the scorecard is settled, we pivot to the future. Our panelists put their stakes in the ground, sharing the predictions they believe will most disrupt localization in 2026.

The agenda:

The 2025 Scorecard (hit or miss?) We revisit the 2025 trends forecast from CSA Research and put it under proper scrutiny. Our panelists vote in real time:

Which predictions actually materialized, and which never saw the light of day?
The shift towards GCSPs and what changed in practice
The reality of AI adoption versus the promise
Where human expertise still matters and where it has genuinely evolved.

The 2026 Betting Table No safe bets allowed. Each panelist has 2 minutes to lay all their cards on the table and pitch their "Big Bet" for 2026. From Agentic AI to the return of the "Human Premium".
Panel Cross-Examination Healthy debate is encouraged. Panelists will challenge each other's assumptions, and the audience is invited to pressure-test these predicitons live.

Erik Vogt

Solutions and Innovation Director

Erik Vogt is a strategic innovation leader specializing in globalization, localization, MT, and AI solutions. Based in Boulder, Colorado, he currently serves as Solutions and Innovations Director at Argos Multilingual. With over two decades of experience in the language services and technology sectors, Erik has held senior leadership positions at Appen, RWS Moravia, and TELUS International, where he managed multinational teams of 90+ professionals and delivered over $20 million in cost reductions through automation and process improvements. He holds an MBA and MSML from Western Governors University and is passionate about developing practical applications of AI and machine translation that create viable business models for global markets.

Chiara Scaldaferro

Senior Localization Manager

Chiara is a Berlin-based localization manager with 8 years of experience in international tech companies and a background in translation. At GoStudent, she streamlines processes through integrations, AI, and automation, builds trusted translator teams, and drives inclusive multilingual projects. Passionate about localization advocacy, she developed online courses for TranslaStars, volunteered with Women in Localization, and was a LocWorld Malmö (2025) speaker, working to empower and shape the community.

Mario Pluzny

Program Manager & Career Coach

Mario is an ICF-certified Career & Life Coach with nearly 10 years of experience in global tech, startups, and the localization industry. He’s worked in fast-growing, international environments at the intersection of localization, content, and global operations, supporting teams through scale, change, and uncertainty. Today, Mario helps mid-career localization and international professionals gain clarity and confidence in a rapidly evolving, AI-driven industry.