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The card is designed so that LEP individuals can carry it in their wallets or on their phones. The front of the card indicates to the English-speaking provider or recipient of the card what the LEP is requesting, in what language, and how to find a translator or interpreter easily in ATA鈥檚 online Language Services Directory.

The back of the card is for the LEP individual to get a basic understanding of their rights in their language and access more resources on the ATA website鈥檚 Language Access page. The PR Committee plans to continue building out the resources on this page with more helpful content and translations over time.

Learn more about this Language Access initiative!

The post ATA鈥檚 Public Relations Committee Unveils Language Access Cards for LEP Individuals appeared first on 情侣自拍 (ATA).

This is an update to an earlier post, 鈥淧rofessional human interpreters belong in Wisconsin courts, not artificial intelligence.鈥� Read ATA鈥檚 letter to lawmakers and take action. Read the original post.

In July, the 情侣自拍 (ATA) and other organizations wrote letters to Wisconsin state lawmakers in response to and to warn them that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in lieu of qualified, professional human interpreters in 奥颈蝉肠辞苍蝉颈苍鈥檚 courts poses a serious threat to the fair and efficient administration of justice.

Thanks to everyone who took action.

These bills, as well as and , are very much alive, and your lawmakers need to hear from you again about why AI is not a suitable replacement for the expertise of qualified, human language professionals.

Email and call Wisconsin legislators now.

Read ATA’s Updated Letter

RE: Opposition to AI replacing human interpreters

Dear Lawmaker:

On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we respectfully urge the withdrawal of four bills that propose the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in place of qualified professional human interpreters in Wisconsin: SB 357/AB 377 and SB 295/AB 292. If enacted, these bills could result in a host of unintended negative consequences and increased costs for public services in Wisconsin, from hospitals and schools to our courts and government offices.

By proposing that AI replace human experts despite the preponderance of evidence that AI-powered translation and interpreting platforms are inherently deficient and frequently make grave mistakes, the legislature is jeopardizing the rights and risking the fair and equal treatment of individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) in Wisconsin. While we recognize the potential of technology to assist human interpreters in specific contexts, we are extremely concerned about the consequences of a broad interpretation and application of these bills, as they will undermine the quality, accuracy, and accountability that interpreting services demand in the contexts named in these bills.

By proposing the use of AI or other machine-assisted translation in court proceedings, SB 295 and its companion bill AB 292 pose a serious threat to the fair and efficient administration of justice, which is fundamental to our judicial system, as well as the legal rights of LEP individuals. The National Center for State Courts (NSCS) is unequivocal in on the use of AI to replace human interpreters: 鈥淎I should not be used to replace human interpreters for real-time spoken interpretation in court proceedings due to the high risks associated with context, nuance, and potential errors. Human oversight remains critical.鈥� Furthermore, the inevitable mistrials, overturned convictions, and appeals resulting from the errors AI makes will result in higher costs and longer wait times. Trying to replace professional judicial interpreters with AI will not solve the most pressing challenges to meaningful language access in 奥颈蝉肠辞苍蝉颈苍鈥檚 courts, namely that the budget allocated is insufficient to cover current needs, making qualified interpreters difficult to find for certain languages.

By allowing any state or local governmental entity that is required by law to appoint an interpreter to an LEP individual to instead provide access to AI or another machine-assisted translation tools in lieu of an expert human interpreter, SB 357 and its companion bill AB 377 go a step further, jeopardizing the rights and risking the fair and equal treatment of LEP individuals in even more places, including hospitals, schools, and government offices, without promising the cost savings that legislatures are likely seeking. The states: 鈥淪B鈥�357 would create operational costs for the department […]. While the department may see modest reductions in expenditures […], these would likely be offset by new administrative burdens. Locally, SB鈥�357 could impose new costs […] related to the purchase of AI translation software, integration into existing communication systems, and staff training to operate and monitor these tools鈥攅ach of which may require ongoing technical support. While the bill may reduce short-term expenses by decreasing reliance on human interpreters, […] districts could face increased legal and administrative costs if machine translation errors lead to complaints or due process violations […].鈥�

These issues stem from how generative AI models, including large language models (LLMs), work. They do not think, 鈥渟peak,鈥� use human language, or understand cultural nuances and differences. They transcribe and generate text according to statistical patterns, and the algorithm鈥檚 best estimation is based on information retrieved in large part from untrusted and unvalidated online sources. As we have seen in many instances, such models frequently generate false statements, known as 鈥�.鈥� Numerous attorneys around the country have been sanctioned in recent years for submitting briefs written with AI that include defective citations, invented precedents, and other misstatements, and these have all only dealt with English. In interpreting, inaccurate or misleading output violates defendants鈥� rights, distorts evidence, and endangers the integrity of judicial proceedings. Furthermore, many AI tools are programmed to produce output that aligns with users鈥� prompts. The result is AI-generated responses that compromise informed decision-making, spread misinformation, improperly inform court users of their rights, or inadvertently advise parties to violate court orders or break the law. A comprehensive review by the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that a leading AI interpreting tool was not even fit for informational public-facing meetings where the organization鈥檚 image or reputation are at stake, much less important matters of health, justice, or human welfare.

AI tools may be capable of processing and generating plausible translations under limited and controlled circumstances in a handful of languages with large training datasets, such as English. The same cannot be said for languages for which there is relatively little reliable bilingual data online. For the purposes of language access in U.S. courts, these are often called 鈥渓anguages of lesser diffusion鈥� (LLDs), even though they may still represent millions of speakers worldwide and tens of thousands of speakers in Wisconsin, including Hmong, Burmese, Karen, and others. AI performance in these languages is deficient, significantly increasing the risk of errors. The use of AI to communicate in an LLD disproportionately impacts all who rely on interpreting services for equal access to public services.

Legal, medical, and educational interpreters are highly trained professionals who adhere to and are accountable for their work. In many cases, they take an oath and place their name and credentials on the record. The story of Jos茅 Mar铆a Rodr铆guez Uriarte, a father mistakenly blamed for the accidental death of his son in Dane County due to improper interpreting, is just one example of the consequences of not using a qualified interpreter.

AI solutions, in addition to having many flaws, consist of both software and hardware that are extremely expensive to acquire, operate, maintain, and update. Machines also cannot be held accountable for the inevitable lack of performance. AI is frequently incorrect without ever notifying the user that it lacks needed information. Who would bear responsibility for such errors, not to mention the cost, as outlined in the fiscal analysis?

奥颈蝉肠辞苍蝉颈苍鈥檚 commitment to civil rights and fiscal responsibility requires a robust standard for language services. These bills, as currently drafted, undermine the prospect of fair and equal treatment, may increase costs to state and local entities, and place the state鈥檚 interests at risk. We urge you to please oppose them. Numerous standards, including ISO 18841:2018, ASTM 2089-24, and from the SAFE-AI Task Force provide useful guardrails for any future legislation. We are able to offer our assistance in drafting any proposed bills that address the use of AI tools for language access.

Thank you for your consideration. We stand ready to provide assistance to help ensure that all those who use 奥颈蝉肠辞苍蝉颈苍鈥檚 public services receive meaningful, accurate, and professional language access.

Respectfully submitted,

情侣自拍 (ATA)
National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT)
Wisconsin Association for Bilingual Education (WIABE)
Association of Language Companies (ALC)
Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI)
American Association of Interpreters and Translators in Education (AAITE)
Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters (MATI)
Wisconsin Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (WisRID)

About ATA

Founded in 1959, ATA represents over 6,000 professional translators, interpreters, teachers, project managers, web and software developers, language company owners, hospitals, universities, and government agencies.

About NAJIT

Founded in 1978, NAJIT represents over 1,200 court interpreters, translators, judicial officers, scholars, and trainers committed to advancing professional standards and ensuring equal access to justice for those with limited English proficiency.

About WIABE

Founded in 1987, WIABE is the largest organization of bilingual educators, parents, students, researchers, and allies serving multilingual students in the state of Wisconsin.

About ALC

ALC is a U.S.-based international trade association representing businesses that provide language services.

About CCHI

Founded in 2009 by interpreters, CCHI is a national non-profit that develops and administers credible, vendor-neutral performance-based certification for interpreters serving the U.S. healthcare system in all languages. CCHI is the only certifying body for interpreters accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

About AAITE

AAITE is a professional association that represents interpreters and translators who work in educational settings and their allies and promotes the highest standards for interpreting and translation in educational settings.

About MATI

MATI is a distinct chapter of ATA founded by and for translators and interpreters in the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin that promotes high standards of professional ethics, business practices, and continuing education for professionals in the translation and interpreting fields.

About WisRID

Established in 1971, WisRID is 奥颈蝉肠辞苍蝉颈苍鈥檚 leading organization for ASL interpreters. As an affiliate of RID, we uphold professional standards, defend language access rights, and advocate for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities. Our work supports equitable access and a highly qualified interpreting workforce statewide.

View Letter

Take Action Now

If you already took action in July, thank you! We need you to take action once again. Please use the button below to tell Wisconsin state lawmakers to oppose these bills.

• If you are a Wisconsin resident, use your address to confirm who your lawmakers are and send your message, then follow up with a phone call to inform them you鈥檙e a constituent.
• If you frequently provide language services in Wisconsin, use the address of the court, school, or hospital where you work most often. Customize the letter to explain your situation.
• Use the pre-filled email as a template. Share your story and your experience. Data makes us credible, but stories make us memorable. Lawmakers especially want to hear from their constituents.
• Share widely with your friends and colleagues who live or work in Wisconsin, even if they are not translators or interpreters. Every voice matters!

The post Wisconsin Lawmakers Need to Hear from You Again 鈥� Take Action Now appeared first on 情侣自拍 (ATA).

In response to Wisconsin Senate Bill 357, the 情侣自拍 (ATA) and other organizations have written letters to lawmakers warning that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in lieu of qualified professional human interpreters in 奥颈蝉肠辞苍蝉颈苍鈥檚 courts poses a serious threat to the fair and efficient administration of justice, which is fundamental to our judicial system, due to the inherent deficiencies of AI-powered translation and interpreting platforms. This will lead to a host of unintended negative consequences for 奥颈蝉肠辞苍蝉颈苍鈥檚 courts.

Since sending ATA鈥檚 original letter, the Wisconsin State Assembly has also introduced a companion bill, , that also deals with the use of AI in lieu of qualified interpreters.

You can read ATA鈥檚 letter below. Please share widely with your friends and colleagues who live or work in Wisconsin, even if they are not court interpreters. Encourage them to take action and email and call Wisconsin legislators about both bills. To learn more about the risks of replacing expert interpreters with AI, read ATA鈥檚 article Think AI Should Replace Interpreters? Think Again.

Email and call Wisconsin legislators now.

Read ATA’s Letter

RE: Opposition to SB 357

Dear Lawmaker:

On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we respectfully urge the withdrawal of SB 357, which proposes the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in place of qualified professional human interpreters in 奥颈蝉肠辞苍蝉颈苍鈥檚 courts. If enacted, this bill could result in a host of unintended negative consequences for 奥颈蝉肠辞苍蝉颈苍鈥檚 courts.

SB 357 poses a serious threat to the fair and efficient administration of justice, which is fundamental to our judicial system, due to the inherent deficiencies of AI-powered translation and interpreting platforms. While we recognize the potential of technology to assist human interpreters in specific contexts, we are extremely concerned about the consequences of a broad interpretation and application of SB 357, as it will undermine the quality, accuracy, and accountability that court interpreting services demand. In addition, it jeopardizes the rights of individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) and compromises 奥颈蝉肠辞苍蝉颈苍鈥檚 ability to uphold justice.

Firstly, generative AI models, including large language models (LLMs), do not think, 鈥渟peak,鈥� use human language, or understand cultural nuances and differences. They transcribe and generate text according to statistical patterns, and the algorithm鈥檚 best estimation is based on information retrieved in large part from untrusted and unvalidated online sources. As we have seen in many instances, such models frequently generate false statements, known as 鈥�.鈥� Numerous attorneys around the country have been sanctioned in recent years for submitting briefs written with AI that include defective citations, invented precedents, and other misstatements, and these have all only dealt with English. In interpreting, inaccurate or misleading output violates defendants鈥� rights, distorts evidence, and endangers the integrity of judicial proceedings. Furthermore, many AI tools are programmed to produce output that aligns with users鈥� prompts. The result is AI-generated responses that compromise informed decision-making, spread misinformation, improperly inform court users of their rights, or inadvertently advise parties to violate court orders or break the law. A comprehensive review by the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that a leading AI interpreting tool was not even fit for informational public-facing meetings where the organization鈥檚 image or reputation are at stake, much less important matters of justice.

Secondly, AI tools may be capable of processing and generating plausible translations under limited and controlled circumstances in a handful of languages with large training datasets, such as English. The same cannot be said for languages for which there is relatively little reliable bilingual data online. For the purposes of language access in U.S. courts, these are often called 鈥渓anguages of lesser diffusion鈥� (LLDs), even though they may still represent millions of speakers worldwide and tens of thousands of speakers in Wisconsin, including Hmong, Burmese, Karen, and others. AI performance in these languages is deficient, significantly increasing the risk of errors. The court鈥檚 use of AI in matters involving LLDs disproportionately impacts all who rely on interpreting services for equal access to justice, including the courts themselves.

Finally, judicial interpreters are highly trained professionals who adhere to , take an oath, place their name and credentials on the record, and are accountable for their work. The story of Jos茅 Mar铆a Rodr铆guez Uriarte, a father mistakenly blamed for the accidental death of his son in Dane County due to improper interpreting, is just one example of the consequences of not using qualified judicial interpreters. The National Center for State Courts (NSCS) is unequivocal in on the use of AI to replace human interpreters: 鈥淎I should not be used to replace human interpreters for real-time spoken interpretation in court proceedings due to the high risks associated with context, nuance, and potential errors. Human oversight remains critical.鈥� Trying to replace professional judicial interpreters with AI will not solve the most pressing challenges to meaningful language access in 奥颈蝉肠辞苍蝉颈苍鈥檚 courts, namely that the budget allocated is insufficient to cover current needs, making qualified interpreters difficult to find for certain languages. AI solutions, in addition to having many flaws, consist of both software and hardware that are extremely expensive to acquire, operate, maintain, and update. Machines also cannot be held accountable for the inevitable lack of performance. AI is frequently incorrect without ever notifying the user that it lacks needed information, which would lead to mistrials and overturned cases. Who would bear responsibility for such errors?

奥颈蝉肠辞苍蝉颈苍鈥檚 commitment to equal access to justice requires a robust standard for language services. SB 357, as currently drafted, undermines the prospect of fair court proceedings, may increase costs to the courts, and places the state鈥檚 interests at risk. We urge you to please oppose SB 357. Numerous standards, including ISO 18841:2018, ASTM 2089-24, and from the SAFE-AI task force provide useful guardrails for any future legislation. We are able to offer our assistance in drafting any proposed bills that address the use of AI tools in court with a view of mitigating risks to the interests of justice for all.

Thank you for your consideration. We stand ready to provide assistance to help ensure that all those who use Wisconsin courts receive meaningful, accurate, and professional language access.

Respectfully submitted,

情侣自拍 (ATA)
National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT)
Wisconsin Association for Bilingual Education (WIABE)
Association of Language Companies (ALC)
Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI)
American Association of Interpreters and Translators in Education (AAITE)
Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters (MATI)
Wisconsin Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (WisRID)
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)
Wisconsin Association of the Deaf (WAD)

About ATA

Founded in 1959, ATA represents over 6,000 professional translators, interpreters, teachers, project managers, web and software developers, language company owners, hospitals, universities, and government agencies.

About NAJIT

Founded in 1978, NAJIT represents over 1,200 court interpreters, translators, judicial officers, scholars, and trainers committed to advancing professional standards and ensuring equal access to justice for those with limited English proficiency.

About WIABE

Founded in 1987, WIABE is the largest organization of bilingual educators, parents, students, researchers, and allies serving multilingual students in the state of Wisconsin.

About ALC

ALC is a U.S.-based international trade association representing businesses that provide language services.

About CCHI

Founded in 2009 by interpreters, CCHI is a national non-profit that develops and administers credible, vendor-neutral performance-based certification for interpreters serving the U.S. healthcare system in all languages. CCHI is the only certifying body for interpreters accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

About AAITE

AAITE is a professional association that represents interpreters and translators who work in educational settings and their allies and promotes the highest standards for interpreting and translation in educational settings.

About MATI

MATI is a distinct chapter of ATA founded by and for translators and interpreters in the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin that promotes high standards of professional ethics, business practices, and continuing education for professionals in the translation and interpreting fields.

About WisRID

Established in 1971, WisRID is 奥颈蝉肠辞苍蝉颈苍鈥檚 leading organization for ASL interpreters. As an affiliate of RID, we uphold professional standards, defend language access rights, and advocate for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities. Our work supports equitable access and a highly qualified interpreting workforce statewide.

About RID

RID is the national professional organization and certifying body for American Sign Language interpreters. RID is committed to advancing linguistic and human rights through the promotion of high-quality interpreting services that honor the lived experiences of Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing people. Representing over 14,000 interpreters and Deaf stakeholders across the United States and its territories, RID upholds ethical standards, fosters interpreter education, and advocates for policies that protect language access as a cornerstone of equity and justice. RID stands firm in the belief that communication access is a civil right.

About WAD

Established in 1876, WAD is 奥颈蝉肠辞苍蝉颈苍鈥檚 premier civil rights advocacy-based organization for, by, and of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals in the state.

View Letter

Take Action Now

Use the button below to take action and tell Wisconsin state lawmakers to oppose SB 357 and companion bill AB 377.

• If you are a Wisconsin resident, use your address to confirm who your lawmakers are and send your message, then follow up with a phone call to inform them you鈥檙e a constituent.
• If you frequently interpret in Wisconsin, use the address of the court where you work most often.
• Use the pre-filled email as a template. If you are an interpreter, share your story. If you鈥檙e a constituent, share your experience. Data makes us credible, but stories make us memorable. Lawmakers especially want to hear from their constituents.
• Share widely with your friends and colleagues who live or work in Wisconsin, even if they are not court interpreters.

The post ATA Letter on Wisconsin SB 357 鈥� Take Action Now appeared first on 情侣自拍 (ATA).

UPDATE: As of June 23, 2025, the bills discussed in this article had stalled in committee, but a new bill is being introduced with new, broader language. ATA is monitoring the situation closely.

Recent legislative proposals have raised a burning question: Is AI able to replace interpreters? Should courts start using ChatGPT to interpret witness testimony or the defendant鈥檚 testimony during any proceeding or trial? Should hospitals rely on Google Translate to read a patient鈥檚 medical records? These questions raise important legal, technological, and ethical issues that many lawmakers, officers of the court, and the general public may not have considered. For language professionals, they raise serious alarm bells.

What would the proposed AI interpreting bills allow?

奥颈蝉肠辞苍蝉颈苍鈥檚 / would allow courts to 鈥渦se鈥rtificial intelligence or other
machine assisted translation in lieu of or in addition to a qualified interpreter.鈥� Lawmakers and court administrators in other states, as well as administrators in and schools, have entertained the idea of using AI to replace interpreters and translators. By some accounts, many of these places are already using AI translation or interpreting to assist with administrative tasks, especially when a qualified language professional can鈥檛 be found in a timely manner or when no bilingual staff are available. However, using AI instead of qualified interpreters could have disastrous consequences.

AI interpreting data spells danger

There has been massive hype around AI and its ability to interpret from one language to another, especially in the past year. Many companies, like , , and others are touting the 鈥渞eal-time translation鈥� capabilities of their gadgets and apps, creating flashy and impressive social media and marketing campaigns that leave viewers impressed and fans fawning.

But despite these convincing ad campaigns, AI is not ready for prime time, as confirmed by the very language professionals who use it every day. Imagine your child was abused at a daycare facility, and the only witness to the crime spoke Zapotec, an increasingly common language in the United States. Would you really want to entrust the translation of their testimony to an algorithm, when the future of your child and countless others rests in the balance?

AI is not capable of recognizing or rendering the important nuances of human language, nor can it make the cultural adjustments necessary to convey meaning effectively. It struggles with even some of the most basic, normal parts of our language, like accents, dialects, slang, and idioms. It cannot think, reason, or use basic logic, or understand nonverbal cues or cultural nuance. To date, the multilingual large language models (LLMs) that power AI exist for only a limited set of languages, primarily those used by large international organizations.

One such organization, the World Health Organization (WHO), recently conducted a study to evaluate whether a leading AI interpreting solution, Wordly, could be used to replace human interpreters at WHO meetings. The results were telling: out of 90 tests, only one received a 鈥減assing鈥� grade, but it still contained errors that posed a reputational risk. For example, one test confused Hamas, the terrorist organization, with the U.S. The WHO concluded that AI interpreting is still in an experimental stage and is not fit for use in important meetings due to concerns with accuracy and reputational risk. This is especially telling because the WHO conducted these tests in its official languages, for which advanced LLMs do exist. Now imagine if only one person knows the language and no one else present can confirm that a translation is correct. Many commonly spoken languages in the U.S. are among the languages without large LLMs.

The National Center for State Courts (NCSC), which trains judges, prosecutors, and other officers of the court, is unequivocal in on the use of AI to replace human interpreters: 鈥淎I should not be used to replace human interpreters for real-time spoken interpretation in court proceedings due to the high risks associated with context, nuance, and potential errors. Human oversight remains critical.鈥�

The American Bar Association (ABA) Standards for Language Access in Courts that, 鈥淐ourts should use caution when considering any kind of machine [assisted] translation, as it has been found to be 鈥榰nacceptably unreliable鈥� in its current format.鈥�

Can AI interpreting be used safely today?

AI-powered interpreting has made significant advancements in recent years thanks to generative artificial intelligence, or genAI, making it incredibly useful for ordering pho in Hanoi or booking an onsen in Hokkaido. However, it is not the silver bullet for the in our courts, hospitals, and other important settings.

Many would like us to believe that AI can solve all our problems. But as far as interpreting and translation in high-stakes settings are concerned, it isn鈥檛 there yet. The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT) recently published that provides appropriate guardrails for the technology, stating: 鈥淎ll AI-generated translations must be reviewed for accuracy and completeness by human translators.鈥�

The stakes are simply too high. When AI makes a mistake that results in a mistrial, a wrongful conviction, a negative outcome in a hospital, or even death, who will be responsible? The AI company that sold it will have disclaimed all liability. Are our courts, hospitals, schools鈥攁nd ultimately taxpayers鈥攔eady and willing to shoulder such a risk?

Despite all their promises, AI interpreting solutions are not guaranteed to be accurate or even provide the savings buyers are looking for. Free AI interpreting solutions raise serious privacy and confidentiality concerns, since everything you put in them enters the public domain. Paid AI interpreting solutions offer better privacy but are expensive, and training the LLMs is extremely time-consuming, if they even exist for many of the languages spoken in the U.S. Furthermore, they require massive amounts of data and energy to function.

Finding a way forward

What can people do when they need an interpreter and Google Translate starts looking like the best option? In low-stakes situations, like making reservations while traveling, the likelihood of serious consequences is low. But when reputation, well-being, livelihood, or other serious issues are at stake, human expertise is essential. In some circumstances, telephonic or virtual remote interpreting solutions can provide some relief, but even these tools are limited by microphone and video quality, internet signal strength and availability, microphone placement, and so much more.

The truth is that we need more qualified interpreters, which means more robust pathways into the language professions and compensation that is commensurate with the expertise and experience of the people involved. Interpreting needs have skyrocketed, but budgets have remained the same. Decision-makers may be looking for an easy fix, but AI only makes false promises that will end up being much more expensive.

If you need a translator or interpreter, visit the 情侣自拍 Language Services Directory.

About the 情侣自拍

The 情侣自拍 (ATA) is the largest association of language professionals in the United States. Founded in 1959, ATA represents over 6,000 professional translators, interpreters, teachers, project managers, web and software developers, language company owners, hospitals, universities, and government agencies.

The post Think AI Should Replace Interpreters? Think Again. appeared first on 情侣自拍 (ATA).

The post ATA and Sister Associations Publish Guidance for Interpreters During Unexpected Law Enforcement Encounters appeared first on 情侣自拍 (ATA).

The post Advocacy Update: ATA Statement on Artificial Intelligence appeared first on 情侣自拍 (ATA).

Adoption of Technology and AI in Translation and Interpreting

The latest wave of artificial intelligence (AI), powered by large language models (LLM), is reshaping numerous professions, including the translation and interpreting industry. However, a growing reliance on AI highlights鈥攏ot diminishes鈥攖he necessity of expert human linguists who possess the specialized skills to address translation and interpreting challenges that arise in this new context.

Translators and interpreters have long been at the forefront of adopting technological advancements, integrating them into their workflows to enhance efficiency and optimize their processes. As an example, translators have engaged with neural machine translation (NMT) since 2016, well before the advent of ChatGPT and other generative LLM AI tools. They have developed strategies to integrate these technologies as helpful tools, acknowledging their usefulness and taking steps to mitigate their shortcomings. For example, AI-assisted translation and interpreting has proven to be very useful for automating predictable, low-risk content, for drafting preliminary versions for expert revision, or in very specific scenarios. However, it may introduce inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and misinterpretations that require expert human intervention to discern and correct.

AI’s Potential in Translating and Interpreting

The potential for incorporating correctly implemented AI technologies into the workflows of translators and interpreters is constantly evolving. Real-world implementation of AI across translation and interpreting workflows鈥攚hen performed under expert human oversight鈥攃an lead to measurable gains in productivity, consistency, and responsiveness, particularly in time-sensitive or high-volume domains. For example, LLM-assisted workflows can accelerate terminology extraction, improve first-draft quality in repetitive or formulaic content, and enable faster multilingual content turnaround for crisis response, education, and global health. In interpreting, emerging AI-enhanced tools are helping support interpreters through real-time glossary access, pre-session briefing automation, and AI-generated transcripts that improve documentation and accessibility. As the broader public adopts digital-first approaches, it is imperative that qualified, technically proficient language professionals lead the way in shaping how AI is integrated. Essential to these gains are the need for constant research and ongoing training in language and technology to augment and support the work of linguists in both traditional and new ways.

The Dangers of AI: Misleading Accuracy, Questionable Data Sources, and Confidentiality Concerns

One of the greatest dangers of AI-generated translations and interpretations is that they may appear accurate to the general observer, making errors harder to detect for those without linguistic expertise. Another relevant factor is that the source of information used by AI is continuously evolving and, over time, there is a growing concern about the quality, reliability, and biases of the data it relies on. As AI systems increasingly pull from uncontrolled, unverified, or even manipulated sources, the risk of spreading misinformation, inaccuracies, and flawed translations rises. It is also important to highlight that AI translation performance varies widely across language pairs, and users may be unaware of these inconsistencies, mistakenly assuming AI provides uniform quality across all languages.

In high-stakes scenarios, these potential inaccuracies can have severe repercussions. In fields such as healthcare, legal, and financial translation and interpreting, as well as translation and interpreting for the public sector, no one can afford the risks posed by AI-generated mistranslations or misinterpretations. But even private businesses seeking to sell their products or services may mistakenly believe they鈥檙e reaching their audience through AI-translated content while their message is lost or distorted, wasting resources and opportunities. In all these cases, only a trained professional with deep linguistic and subject matter expertise can ensure accuracy and preserve intended meaning, safeguarding the interests of all parties involved.

Another important factor is confidentiality. AI tools may require users to input text into platforms that may store, process, or even repurpose the data. This can lead to breaches of confidentiality agreements and violations of data protection laws, jeopardizing the privacy and security of the parties involved (and that of the public at large).

This evolving landscape underscores the growing importance of professional translators and interpreters, whose expertise and credentials will be key in ensuring that, whenever AI-generated content is used, it is properly assessed, corrected, and validated.

ATA鈥檚 Commitment to Advocacy and Professional Development

As one of the world鈥檚 largest professional associations for language experts, ATA remains a key voice in shaping the future of language technology, advancing its advocacy efforts to champion the indispensable role of human linguists, and actively participating in ongoing discussions. ATA will make every effort to protect translators and interpreters from the harmful effects of misinformation and misleading claims about AI capabilities and will continue to educate and support its members in mastering both emerging tools and their limitations through professional development initiatives. We encourage everyone to visit the Association鈥檚 website regularly to stay informed on this important and fast-evolving topic.

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The coalition of organizations encompassing nearly 28,000 language professionals warns that Executive Order 14224 undermines civil rights and creates significant barriers for millions of residents who rely on language services in healthcare, the legal system, education, and business.

A Step Backward for Civil Rights

Approximately 25.7 million people in the U.S. are limited-English-proficient (LEP), and over 68 million use a language other than English at home. This linguistic diversity is a fundamental aspect of the nation鈥檚 identity. However, by revoking Executive Order 13166, the administration has weakened crucial protections, making it more difficult for individuals to access critical information about healthcare, legal rights, and public services.

Revoking language access protections does not unify the country鈥攊t excludes millions of Americans from essential services and undermines their ability to fully participate in society. Language diversity has always been a strength of the United States, and this decision is a step in the wrong direction.

Impact on Healthcare, Justice, and Education

The executive order鈥檚 repercussions are expected to be felt across multiple sectors:

• Healthcare: LEP individuals already face increased risks of medical errors due to language barriers. With the rollback of language access guidance, patients may struggle to receive accurate diagnoses and treatment, leading to poorer health outcomes.
• Legal System: Language access is essential for due process. Without it, LEP individuals may not understand their rights, face wrongful convictions, or struggle to navigate the legal system.
• Education: Approximately 5 million schoolchildren live in LEP households. Parental involvement in education is key to student success, but language barriers make it harder for families to engage with schools and advocate for their children.

Economic Consequences

Beyond civil rights concerns, restricting language access poses economic risks. Small businesses, many owned by immigrants and non-English speakers, rely on language services to comply with regulations, hire employees, and contribute to local economies. Additionally, industries that depend on a diverse workforce, such as manufacturing and healthcare, benefit from language inclusion. The removal of language access protections could hinder economic growth and limit opportunities for millions of workers and business owners.

Call to Action

The coalition urges the administration to rescind Executive Order 14224 and reaffirm its commitment to language access policies that protect civil rights and promote economic and social integration.

As language professionals, we will continue to advocate for the rights of LEP individuals and ensure they have access to the services they need. We encourage the public to join us in opposing this harmful executive order and to support policies that foster inclusivity and equal opportunity.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will be holding a聽, 鈥淟anguage Access for Individuals with Limited English Proficiency,鈥� on Friday, March 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. EDT at their offices in Washington, DC. This event is open to the public and translators and interpreters are encouraged to attend, either 聽or in person, in support of language access for LEP individuals.

Read the Statement

For more information or to schedule an interview with an ATA representative, please contact:
Adrian Aleckna
ATA Interim Executive Director
+1-703-683-6100 ext. 3019
adrian@atanet.org

About the Signatories

The joint statement was drafted by the following organizations:

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Together, these organizations are thousands strong and are dedicated to ensuring language access and linguistic diversity in the United States.

Read the Statement

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