The Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Interpreter Preparation

Abstract

This article explores the role of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in the professional preparation of interpreters. It seeks to illustrate how an interpreter can implement GenAI into their preparation while ensuring its use is as safe and effective as possible.
It begins with a brief description of GenAI in the context of translation, interpreting and explanation of our motivation to write this article. It then focuses on various external factors and their impact on GenAI, with particular attention paid to the role of training data and so-called hallucinations. It also addresses ethical considerations, including current debates and practical implications of working with GenAI in interpreting.
The second half of the article focuses on the practical application of GenAI, presenting specific examples of how interpreters can use GenAI tools in their preparation. It describes some well-known GenAI models and briefly introduces prompt engineering. Using two specific model situations (one in 2024 and another in 2025), it illustrates how GenAI can support interpreters in preparing for assignments safely and effectively, and investigates if and how the outputs of the given models have changed.