Vova Zakharov

Developer, AI tinkerer, writer, and former Smartcat editor-in-chief

Vova Zakharov is a developer, AI experimenter, writer, and former Smartcat editor-in-chief with 22 years of background as a translator, editor, and copywriter. He writes about language technology, AI tooling, localization, and content workflows.

Experience

Software Engineer at Orcool (Contract)

Jun 2025 to Aug 2025 · 2 mos

Built AI features for a reputation and recognition product.

Full Stack Engineer at DDB

Oct 2023 to May 2025 · 1 yr 7 mos

Designed and built enterprise AI tools, product concepts, and content systems for business users.

Software Engineer at Voicemod

Nov 2022 to Sep 2023 · 10 mos

Contributed to product and prototyping for voice and audio technology experiences.

Full-Stack Software Engineer (Self-employed)

Jul 2020 — Present · 6 yrs

Builds LLM and generative-AI tools and applications, working hands-on with GenAI since the GPT-3 pre-release.

Editor in Chief at Smartcat

Mar 2013 to Jul 2016 · 3 yrs 4 mos

Led editorial and content for a language-technology platform as editor-in-chief.

Recent articles and events

What Is Translation Memory Management & Why Do You Need It?

How Translators & Project Managers Use Smartcat's CAT Tool

How to Use TMX Files to Streamline Translations

What Are the Top 15 Websites for Freelance Translation Jobs?

Linguistic quality assurance: Easily automate quality checking at scale

How to localize Google Sheets and streamline translations

What is a TMS in translation and why do you need one?

LSP UVP – Make your LSP stand out with a unique value proposition

Localization team productive growth map for language services

Improve translation quality and speed with this quick how-to

Translation conferences – events for language professionals 2024

101 and 102 matches in CAT tools – what are these percentages?

Localization project manager: Your complete hiring guide

The Law of the Jungle: How one small translation agency tackles government contracts

Internationalization in software design: A business starter guide

Up to 60% increase in productivity: Translation Assist case study

Start a translation agency in 2024: The complete expert guide

How to Easily Localize Google Docs

Translation segments in CAT tools – what are they?

Building a translation agency that makes a difference: The story behind Navitas Group

Quotation for translation services: A quick guide for PMs

Technology, storytelling, and networking: Lichi Translations case study

Localizing big & agile software: Kaspersky case study

3,400,000 words in 10 days: Localex post-editing case study

Making translation accessible to everyone: EthnoLink’s Costa Vasili on shifting away from manual translation processes

Light as a feather: How Smartcat helped streamline localization of the Flo app

160+ translation terms you should know: The translation industry glossary

LSP marketing – how to engage quality leads for your business

Practical benefits of Connected Translation: Interview with Into23 and Faust Translations

From the ground to the cloud: Joshua Velásquez on Smartcat, small LSPs, and cloud-based platforms

Smartcat vs Unbabel: Which is the best translation solution?

PayPal alternative: Pay freelance translators faster with Smartcat

Vendor management and how to do it well in language services

How Industrial Revolution 4.0 is shaping the future of LSPs

Computer assisted translation (CAT) tool – What is a CAT tool?

Tackling the world’s translation needs, one continent at a time: Interview with Tomedes’s Ofer Tirosh

LSP project management tools to cut your costs and grow value

Connected translation – The way forward for language services

Cross-border payments: Send money to translators at low rates

Interview with Natalya Gorbachevska, Task Force Translation Agency

Translation productivity: How to effectively translate content faster and smarter

Support for Trados packages in Smartcat

The possibilities are immense in the world of languages: Interview with Biraj Rath

Translation pitfalls and best practices to avoid them

Video interview with Christian Faust from Faust Translations

We're lucky to work with the brightest talents: Interview with Kürşat Özel

The biggest tsunami coming is voice: Interview with Richard Delanty, Smartcat's new partner in Asia

Translation business Argentina-style: Interview with Cecilia Maldonado

Goals of translation – 10 steps to become a top translator

Dinosaurs, Grandmas & Artificial Intelligence: Interview with Volodymyr Kukharenko on Smartcat & Protemos integration

Augmented translation and why your localization workflow needs it

Translation scammers and how to spot them and shut them down

Game localization challenges – 10 expert tips to do it right

"If you feel you have what it takes, just go for it": Interview with Magnette Coetzer

How to get into game localization and start on your dream career

“If I can do it, anybody can”: Interview with Maximiliano Diaz

Gamify translation work with Habitica and work without noticing

Creative translation book quotes for inspiration

Computer aided translation (CAT) and why you need it

Translation rate setting in 7 easy steps to job satisfaction

Cloud-based CAT tools and why they're the best for your LSP

Living Life on Your Own Terms: Career Advice from a Digital Nomad

“Translation Is More Than Just Replacing One Word With Another”: The Story of Elena Renard

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