I’ve heard a lot recently, and read in the news, about AI and the potential for it to replace human workers. For decades I’ve heard about the latest technology that is going to change everything and revolutionize the world. Nearly ten years ago I was hearing that self-driving cars were just months away from reality — and they are still just months away it seems, depending on the tech-bro talking.
It’s becoming clearer that AI is nothing more than a tool that helps professionals do their work better and faster. In many areas it is a disruptive technology causing people to switch careers. Just as the automobile ended the careers of many buggy makers and farriers (people who put horse shoes on horses) AI is disrupting many careers. But the truth is not as dire as many expected so far.
What we are seeing for interpreters is improved support to do the work better. AI assistants that listen-in on calls, displaying the conversation as text onscreen. This makes it far easier to avoid omissions of critical information when someone speaks too long. The ability to quickly look up terminology too, improving the quality of the interpretation. They have not yet been used successfully however, in most settings, as independent communication conduits. Inability to make linguistic adjustments for cultural factors is just one of the reasons.
These tools pose a risk if not used properly in a healthcare setting due to privacy concerns and regulations. However, they do hold potential to make our work better and more enjoyable — taking on some of the routine tasks so that we can focus on the conversations that really matter. Interpreters are best suited for those critical times when people need support — helping us welcome new people into the world and say goodbye to those who are leaving. Helping people to stay healthy or return to good health. Helping parents manage difficult obstacles to their children’s learning, or workers to return to productive work with the dignity and respect they deserve.
I’m hopeful for the future of AI and welcome any thoughts you would like to share.
Richard Antoine, MIB/MBA
Executive Director, InterpreterEd.com