Why AI still cannot replace the human interpreter

I recently came across a fascinating study from Cambridge University that examined the effect of simultaneous interpreting (where speech is translated in real-time) on working memory.

It highlights the huge cognitive load that this style of interpreting places on the brain and is further evidence of the importance of fatigue management. It’s why interpreters work in pairs. Even the most skilled and experienced interpreter must take a break after 20-30 minutes of simultaneous interpreting, as it’s such a cognitively demanding experience.

Recently, the Vatican announced plans to use AI-powered live translation for services at St Peter’s Basilica. For this kind of one-way communication, I can absolutely see the value. No institution could realistically hire live interpreters for so many languages at every service. Of course, there is always a risk of something being lost in translation, and that does concern me. But in this specific context, the benefits probably outweigh the drawbacks.

So does this mean we should hand everything over to AI because it’s cheap and never gets tired? When it comes to high-stakes events, absolutely not.

Firstly, accuracy. AI struggles with ambiguity. It doesn’t cope very well with idiomatic translation of cultural references, humour or metaphor. If you’re negotiating a business contract, staging a press conference or involved in a legal case, a mistranslation could have disastrous consequences.

Perhaps AI will eventually become so sophisticated that we can trust it with highly sensitive assignments like these.

What I’m confident that AI will never replace – no matter how good it gets – is the warmth and diplomacy of a skilled human interpreter.
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Interpreters are, in a sense, the stand-in for the speaker. We convey their words, but also their tone, energy and presence.

This month, for example, I’ll be interpreting for a very famous footballer at a live event in London. People are paying £30 a ticket for an intimate, memorable experience with a renowned figure. In that setting, an AI voice would feel flat. It would cheapen the entire event. My role is to “become” the speaker as faithfully as possible, so the audience can experience the charisma of the real person.

AI cannot judge whether a remark is delivered aggressively, kindly, flirtatiously or ironically and adjust its delivery accordingly.

Conversations conducted via a machine can feel slightly stilted, whereas a skilled interpreter helps the exchange flow naturally and spontaneously, as I did over dinner and drinks in Düsseldorf recently.

AI cannot act as an encourager and coach, as I did when interpreting for a young sports professional who was nervous about recording her first advert.

And when a brand needs to build a bond with clients or customers, an experienced interpreter with strong interpersonal skills can act as a brand ambassador. When I interpreted for one of Dior’s artisans at a VIP pop-up event at Selfridges last year, developing a rapport with customers was part of the job.

Inevitably, there will be less interpreting work available overall, but there will always be a demand for great interpreters who deliver extra business value to their clients.

My Festa della Donna inspiration: Daniela Gianesini

To mark La Festa della Donna, I want to celebrate a woman who has profoundly shaped my thinking about language, education, and business — and who, above all, I am proud to call my best friend and a true personal inspiration.

I met ​Daniela Gianesini​ years ago, when I was living in Rome and searching for a school for my daughters. Daniela is the Educational Director and co-owner of La Maisonnette, a network of international trilingual schools where Italian, French, and English are spoken daily.

Long before multilingual education became fashionable, she helped create an environment where children move naturally between languages and cultures — something that deeply resonated with me both as a linguist and as a mother with an Italian heart and an international life.

As a linguist, I’m especially drawn to the principle behind her work: that multilingualism develops cognitive flexibility, empathy, and the ability to shift perspective. Those human skills will matter even more in the age of AI.

La Maisonnette began as a single school in Rome and has expanded into a wider affiliated network serving families across the city and beyond — a testament to her consistency, dedication, and long-term vision.

I admire how Daniela has remained a true expert in her field while also building the systems, structure, and strategy to grow the business. Not every business owner manages to balance the two; it means stepping out of your comfort zone to work on the business, not just in it – even when it might be easier to stay focused on delivery. Another example of the 2% mindset in action.

Buona Festa della Donna!

Interpreting for a football superstar

An exciting offer came via my website this month: interpreting for an Italian footballing superstar, as he begins a promotional tour in the UK next month.

I’ll be interpreting for him on stage at an in-person event in London, as well as some additional media interviews.

I can’t share his name just yet, but let’s just say he’s a national hero in Italy – and if you’re a soccer fan, you’ll understand why I’m so excited to work with him!

I’m currently immersing myself in his life story, in preparation to interpret for him. This is particularly important in interviews, as the questions can go anywhere and the answers will be shared far and wide. I need to have all the facts filed away in my memory – names, places, dates, key events – so that I can interpret fluently and accurately. It means I don’t waste precious milliseconds trying to work out what a reference means while I’m also searching for the perfect phrasing.

It also helps me understand him as a person – or at least the public persona he chooses to share. Is he light-hearted, self-deprecating, or more flamboyant in the way he speaks? Having a sense of that in advance makes it much easier to convey his personality and voice faithfully, while still adapting to shifts in tone throughout the interview.

For me, this preparation is one of the joys of interpreting. Not only do I get to meet truly extraordinary people, but I get to delve deep into the most unexpected and eclectic range of subjects, which I might otherwise never have explored.

Celebrating a mentoring client win

One of the things I love most about mentoring is the opportunity to give back. I’ve built my business over the decades, and it’s so satisfying to help others avoid the pitfalls I’ve encountered along the way and fast-track their progress.

I was thrilled to receive an email recently from one of my mentoring clients, who I’ve been supporting as she builds her specialist interpreting agency, thanking me for my support in securing a €500,000 procurement contract.

This client has worked so hard to increase her visibility, build her profile and pursue opportunities – and it’s fantastic to see her tenacity (and her investment in mentoring) pay off.

It reminds me of the ​2% mindset concept​, popularised by the US author Michael Easter.

The figure comes from a study that found only 2% of people take the stairs when an escalator is also available, but Easter’s research revealed that the concept applies far more widely.

His conclusion was that only 2% of people would choose the harder option with a greater long-term benefit if there were an easier option.

Applying the 2% mindset to building a business means being willing to choose small, momentary discomforts that most people avoid: having the awkward conversation, making the bold ask, putting yourself out there, showing up consistently when it would be easier to stay quiet.

My client is doing exactly that – and her willingness to step out of her comfort zone is now paying dividends.

If you’re an interpreter reading this and thinking, “I want more clients, but I’m not sure what to do next,” I can help you create an action plan that draws on my real-world experience building an interpreting business, but is tailored to your particular situation. I can also support you to put it into practice, including gently nudging you to step out of your comfort zone when required!

Find out more about my mentoring services here