Global communication is no longer optional - it’s essential. Whether you’re planning a multilingual conference, hosting an international town hall, or running a hybrid event, interpreting ensures everyone feels included and understood.
But interpreting today isn’t just about booths and headsets. AI-powered interpreting has entered the picture, offering new ways to connect with audiences at scale. That often leads to questions: When should you choose human interpreters? When does AI interpreting make sense? And how can you make sure your event runs smoothly?
Here are clear answers to the most common interpreting questions.
How is AI interpreting different from human interpreting?
This is the question most organisers start with.
Human interpreters excel at nuance, emotion, cultural context, and handling unpredictable or fast-paced dialogue.
AI interpreting shines in scale, speed, and accessibility. It can support hundreds of language pairs, detect languages automatically, and make events instantly multilingual.
The distinction isn’t simply about quality. It’s about use case. AI interpreting opens doors where human interpreting alone wasn’t feasible for a variety of reasons. Human interpreters remain vital for sensitive, interactive, or high-stakes discussions.
Most organisations now combine the two, using each where it works best.
In short: AI is ideal for structured events like keynotes or webinars, while human interpreters remain essential for complex, sensitive, or highly interactive discussions. Many organisations now use a mix of both.
What’s the difference between interpreting and translation?
It’s a common mix-up.
Translation deals with written text - like contracts, manuals, or websites.
Interpreting translates spoken content orally, in real time, so participants can understand as the conversation unfolds.
Think of translation as what you’d need for a legal agreement, and interpreting as what makes a live discussion or presentation possible across languages.
When it comes to AI, the terms can overlap. Some providers call it AI speech translation, but what’s really happening is real-time interpreting powered by technology. Instead of a person listening and interpreting, AI speech-to-text technology transcribes speech, translates it instantly, and produces spoken output with AI voices.
So, while the naming can be confusing, the purpose is the same: making sure a message is understood across languages as it happens.
What types of interpreting are there?
Interpreting isn’t one-size-fits-all. Depending on your event, you may need:
Consecutive interpreting – The speaker pauses, then the interpreter delivers the message in another language. Ideal for smaller meetings, press conferences, or negotiations.
Simultaneous interpreting – Interpreters speak almost at the same time as the speaker, often from soundproof booths or via remote interpreting platforms. This is the most common setup for conferences, multilingual events, and hybrid formats.
Whispered interpreting (chuchotage) – An interpreter sits next to one or two participants and whispers the interpretation. Best for very small groups where headsets or booths aren’t practical.
AI interpreting (sometimes called AI speech translation) – Technology processes speech in real time, delivering audio or captions in the audience’s chosen language. No on-site interpreters or specialist equipment needed.
How do interpreters and AI prepare for an event?
Preparation is key to accuracy.
Human interpreters: Review speeches, slides, and terminology in advance to deliver precise, fluent communication.
AI interpreting: Can be customised with glossaries to recognise brand names, industry jargon, or technical terms.
Both approaches benefit enormously from receiving event materials ahead of time — and that includes support from your presenters. Read our guide on how speakers can prepare for multilingual events →
Is interpreting secure enough for confidential meetings?
Yes, with the right safeguards.
Human interpreting: Professional interpreters follow strict codes of ethics and NDAs to protect sensitive information. Explore our Interpreting Services →
AI interpreting: Technology is backed by enterprise-grade security, including ISO certifications, GDPR compliance, and end-to-end encryption. See how AI Interpreting works →
Both options are suitable for corporate, legal, and government events. The key is choosing the right setup for your risk level and content sensitivity.
Human interpreting FAQs
Do I need special equipment?
Simultaneous setups often require soundproof booths, microphones, and headsets. Whispered interpreting may use portable kits.
How fast can it be arranged?
Human interpreting usually requires advance planning: booking interpreters, setting up booths or connections, and sharing prep materials.
AI interpreting FAQs
How does AI interpreting work?
AI listens to a speaker’s audio, processes it in real time, and delivers spoken translation or live captions. Attendees can access it through:
A browser link on their laptop
A mobile app via QR code
Platforms like Zoom, Teams, or Webex
For the audience, setup is minimal and the experience feels seamless
What equipment is required?
Often, just a device and an internet connection. Attendees can join via app or browser. This flexibility makes AI interpreting ideal for hybrid and fast-moving events.
How fast can it be set up?
Once initial setup is complete, scaling AI Interpreting across events is quick.
Can interpreting help with accessibility and inclusivity?
Absolutely. Interpreting - human or AI - opens events to wider audiences.
AI interpreting also provides live captions and subtitles, making content accessible for participants who are deaf, hard of hearing, or prefer reading. This helps with compliance (e.g., the European Accessibility Act) while demonstrating your commitment to inclusion.
The takeaway: Choosing the right interpreting solution
Interpreting today is a toolkit of options:
Human interpreting for nuance, sensitive content, and interactive dialogue.
AI interpreting for scale, accessibility, and instant multilingual reach.
Hybrid approaches that combine both.
Do you still have questions? Or maybe you’re wondering which solution fits your event best? Contact us to speak with an expert and we’ll help you find the right setup for your audience.
