Abstract: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) translation tools in complex translation tasks. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, GAI has made significant progress in the field of natural language processing. While AI translation offers advantages in efficiency, cost, and language support, translation scholars remain cautious about its potential to replace human translators. This paper employs the Chinese-to-English translation of Research on ZHANG Daqian’s Artistic Creation in Jiangnan as a case study. It conducts an in-depth analysis of the current shortcomings of AI translation tools in areas such as grammar, style, cultural adaptation, disciplinary knowledge, and language application. The paper also explores the underlying reasons for these limitations. It reveals that AI translation tools have significant limitations in contextual understanding, cultural sensitivity, and creative expression, making it difficult to accurately address translation needs in complex contexts. Advancements in AI translation technology hold promise for improving translation quality in the future. Human translators, however, remain indispensable in translation tasks involving cultural nuances and deep semantic comprehension.