This book sets the ambitious goal of providing a comprehensive overview of the evolution, application, and study of interpreting and technology in the AI era, covering various tech nologies regularly encountered in the field, the ways in which they have been integrated into a variety of settings and workflows, as well as the issues arising as a result of this integra tion. Bringing together contributions from authors in 15 countries across five continents, the volume addresses a wide range of methods, systems, and devices used both in interpret ing practice and research, while also engaging with emerging critical issues and debates. At present, there is no comprehensive synthesis of interpreting and technology that addresses all these areas concurrently. In our increasingly technologised world, exploring the intersection between interpreting practice, research, and technology is vital not only to capture the ways in which an increas ing range of digital technologies – from information and communication technologies and platforms to data-driven language technologies, including AI – have altered real-time multi lingual and accessible communication and the interpreters’ tasks across different modes and settings but also to understand the evolving trends that will continue to shape the interpret ing profession. While technology has played a role in interpreting since the 1920s, when it paved the way for simultaneous interpreting, it has more recently started to truly permeate the field, in many different forms and with more diversified uses and applications emerging at a much faster pace than in the past. The rise of AI-powered language technology has significantly accelerated this process, creating new possibilities for delivering interpreting services across different settings and modalities via enhanced human–machine interaction, and even going as far as supposedly replacing the human at the core of these practices. In this respect, there has been a notable shift from technology developed specifically for interpreting purposes (e.g. simultaneous interpreting consoles) to technology developed for other purposes and subsequently adapted for interpreting. These include telephone and videoconferencing systems, tablets, and portable equipment. Additionally, experimen tal efforts now aim to integrate AI-driven technology, such as automatic speech recogni tion and machine translation, within interpreting workflows not only to provide support but also to introduce new hybrid practices of real-time speech-to-text/speech which were previously unavailable. New research has begun to explore the possibilities afforded by technology from different perspectives, thus developing new lines of enquiry and illustrat ing the expanding role of technology in professional contexts. This technological upheaval has intensified the need to categorise and distinguish between different types of technology based on their functions when applied to interpreting: technology opening up new ways of delivering interpreting services, such as distance inter preting; technology performing an assistive role to the interpreter’s task, with ramifications for the ways in which interpreters prepare for work and the quality of service rendered; technology semi-automating interpreting workflows, enabling new hybrid modalities that cross the boundaries between interpreting and other translation-related practices; but also technology designed to replace human interpreters, which is gaining momentum despite being at different development stages. New platforms and ‘solutions’ are continuously being developed and refined to address the diverse needs for multilingual support in our globalised era. The rapid pace of these developments challenges practitioners and industry stakeholders to keep up and adapt to an ever-evolving landscape. Despite increased mutual collaboration, research is also struggling to keep up with the pace of the industry, and perceptions related to the implementation, use, and adaptation required by these solutions vary widely among different stakeholders. Professional and international organisations are now developing guidelines and standards to account for the shifting paradigm occasioned by the inclusion of technology in the work of interpreters. Moreover, the close intersection between technology and interpreting is leading to a shift in pedagogy, not only in terms of how training is delivered, but also in the skills required of interpreters hoping to enter the profession. This dynamic environment requires continuous learning, upskilling, flexibility, and engagement with new tools and methodologies to ensure that interpreting practices remain relevant and effective amidst the technological advances transforming the field. At this juncture, it is crucial to reflect upon and reassess how technology is applied to and integrated into professional interpreting practice and training as a contribution to securing the profession’s long-term viability. Technological advancements have undoubtedly opened up numerous possibilities, but they have also introduced significant challenges that must be addressed. While halting technological progress is not feasible and outright opposition would be outdated and shortsighted, the risks associated with the unmonitored adoption of new technologies must be carefully evaluated. A balanced approach is required – one that neither glorifies nor vilifies technology but instead carefully considers its affordances and constraints. This nuanced perspective must weigh the pros and cons of technology within specific contexts, ensuring that adoption is thoughtful, responsible and tailored to the needs of various circumstances, avoiding blanket judgments. A new approach is thus essential – one that integrates technology as part of a broader solution for inclusive multilingual communication and that harnesses the benefits of tech nology while minimising its risks through ethical design. This is particularly true in the context of (generative) language AI, where the focus must be on developing it safely to cre ate content that serves users with diverse linguistic, cultural, sensory, and cognitive needs. The key ethical principles guiding this approach must include human-centric development, inclusivity, fairness, accountability, sustainability, and transparency.
