Interpreter Training in the Age of AI

Abstract

This article offers a critical examination of the rapidly evolving landscape of interpreter training in the era of artificial intelligence. This paper draws on current academic discourse, industry reports, and original survey data to examine how AI tools are reshaping pedagogical practices, industry expectations, and professional identities. The analysis highlights diverging perspectives: while some view AI as an enabler of efficiency and innovation, others raise concerns about ethical boundaries, terminology misuse, and the erosion of human-centric competencies. Special attention is given to how interpreter training institutions can respond to these shifts through critical AI literacy, revised curricula, and public awareness strategies. The paper also explores the paradox that AI may not replace interpreters directly but may still undermine the profession indirectly through declining enrolments and institutional disengagement. Ultimately, it advocates for a balanced, evidence-based integration of AI into interpreter education – one that safeguards professional standards and ensures long-term sustainability.