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How exposed to AI is a Interpreters and Translator?

Of the 17 tasks O*NET lists for interpreters and translators, 13 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 2 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
American Sign Language Interpreter (ASL Interpreter)Court InterpreterEducational InterpreterInterpreterLinguistMedical InterpreterSign Language InterpreterSpanish InterpreterSpanish TranslatorTranslator
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
17
tasks rated for this occupation
86%
hold a degree, from a survey of 22
52k
people do this job in the US
5 of 40
least protected in arts, design and media

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

13
  • 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
  • Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy
  • Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors
  • Compile information on content and context of information to be translated and on intended audience
  • Adapt translations to students' cognitive and grade levels, collaborating with educational team members as necessary
  • Adapt software and accompanying technical documents to another language and culture
  • Proofread, edit, and revise translated materials
  • Train and supervise other translators or interpreters
  • Read written materials, such as legal documents, scientific works, or news reports, and rewrite material into specified languages
  • Travel with or guide tourists who speak another language

Only with software built on top

2
  • Educate students, parents, staff, and teachers about the roles and functions of educational interpreters
  • Discuss translation requirements with clients and determine any fees to be charged for services provided

Cannot be sped up

2
  • Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions
  • Check original texts or confer with authors to ensure that translations retain the content, meaning, and feeling of the original material
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.