AI x AI: Artificial Intelligence for Augmented Interpretation
The 28th edition of what was formerly the SCIC Universities' Conference, now revamped as the Interpreting Europe Conference, took place on 6–7 February, bringing together over 400 onsite attendees and more than 1,000 online participants. The large attendance reflects the relevance of this year's theme: AI x AI: Artificial Intelligence for Augmented Interpretation.
A comprehensive discussion
How can we equip interpreters with the skills they need to leverage AI effectively? What are the ethical considerations that need to guide us? And what steps do we need to take to prepare the profession for the future.
These were just some of the questions explored in the multilingual discussions interpreted into English, German, French, and International Sign.
A varied lineup of speakers brought diverse perspectives on AI's role in interpretation. University representatives and interpreter trainers explored how AI is impacting approaches to interpreter training. Representatives from the European institutions provided insights on AI's impact on their work, academics and researchers discussed their findings, and industry experts shared different applications of AI in speech technologies.
Discussions took place across diverse formats, including panel debates, a roundtable discussion, an Oxford-style debate, a TED-style talk, and a fireside chat.
Staying focused on the future, one of the conference's highlights was the Young Interpreters Award (Leopoldo Costa Prize), a traditional segment that gives a platform to the next generation. An interview with the award winners Annika Biedermann (Zurich University of Applied Sciences), Ioana-Daniela Cutudi (University of Bucharest), and Anna-Katharina Linzner (University of Heidelberg) will be published on SCICnet. In the meantime, read their speeches on the conference website.
AI as a tool, not a replacement
Over the course of the conference, some central ideas emerged – namely, that AI is not a threat to the profession but a tool that could support and elevate the human expertise of interpreters.
This was underlined in Commissioner Serafin's keynote speech: 'Your profession has bravely taken up the challenge thrown by Artificial Intelligence. You are in many ways in the vanguard of change, setting the trends for other professions. AI and interpretation are an example of how we can lead the way in making AI work alongside humans in a safe and reliable manner.'
The extent to which AI can support interpreters will remain an ongoing discussion in the months and years ahead. However, the conference marked a step forward in holding an inclusive and forward-looking dialogue on the topic. As the DG SCIC's Director-General underscored in her opening remarks, 'We need debates like the one we are about to have today and tomorrow in order to make sure that we are driving change so that it benefits us.'
Revisit the conference with the recordings of both days on the event website, along with this video gallery.