Interpreters and Translators
Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
How AI Impacts Each Task
17 tasks analyzed
Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
Read written materials, such as legal documents, scientific works, or news reports, and rewrite material into specified languages.
Proofread, edit, and revise translated materials.
Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
Train and supervise other translators or interpreters.
Check original texts or confer with authors to ensure that translations retain the content, meaning, and feeling of the original material.
Discuss translation requirements with clients and determine any fees to be charged for services provided.
Adapt translations to students' cognitive and grade levels, collaborating with educational team members as necessary.
Educate students, parents, staff, and teachers about the roles and functions of educational interpreters.
Compile information on content and context of information to be translated and on intended audience.
Adapt software and accompanying technical documents to another language and culture.
Travel with or guide tourists who speak another language.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information. | 76.48Observed | 79.8% | 2% | |
| Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible. | 44.5Observed | 44.8% | 20% | |
| Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary. | 90Estimated | 63.0% | 10% | |
| Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material. | 61.98Observed | 74.0% | 5% | |
| Read written materials, such as legal documents, scientific works, or news reports, and rewrite material into specified languages. | 40.2Observed | 43.1% | 15% | |
| Proofread, edit, and revise translated materials. | 50.48Observed | 69.4% | 8% | |
| Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions. | 41.8Observed | 65.9% | 5% | |
| Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors. | 65.45Observed | 53.2% | 5% | |
| Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy. | 41.67Observed | 65.9% | 5% | |
| Train and supervise other translators or interpreters. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Check original texts or confer with authors to ensure that translations retain the content, meaning, and feeling of the original material. | 51.55Observed | 35.6% | 4% | |
| Discuss translation requirements with clients and determine any fees to be charged for services provided. | 62.15Observed | 39.9% | 4% | |
| Adapt translations to students' cognitive and grade levels, collaborating with educational team members as necessary. | 33.1Observed | 40.2% | 3% | |
| Educate students, parents, staff, and teachers about the roles and functions of educational interpreters. | 25Estimated | 25.0% | 3% | |
| Compile information on content and context of information to be translated and on intended audience. | 54.35Observed | 70.9% | 3% | |
| Adapt software and accompanying technical documents to another language and culture. | 80Estimated | 59.0% | 3% | |
| Travel with or guide tourists who speak another language. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Interpreters and Translators skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Related News
Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation
Korean Theaters Adopt AI Translation to Bypass Human Localization
Live entertainment producers in South Korea are deploying augmented reality glasses with real-time AI translation to reach international audiences, potentially eliminating the need for traditional localization and touring cast adaptations.
DeepL's real-time voice translation targets Zoom, threatening interpreter roles
The popular text translation company is expanding into live voice translation for platforms like Zoom and Teams. This direct integration threatens to eliminate the need for human interpreters in corporate meetings.
Lyft shifts localization work to AI pipelines with human reviewers
The ride-sharing giant has overhauled its translation department, replacing traditional workflows with large language models. Human translators are being transitioned into 'in-the-loop' editors who verify AI-generated content.
Human interpreters remain critical in high-stakes roles despite AI expansion.
New York-based Pronto Translations confirmed that live communication still requires human nuance, driving up demand for skilled professionals. Automated translation tools are hitting limits in high-stakes environments where accuracy is non-negotiable.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis