How Technology Is Changing the Work and Role of Interpreters

What is it about?

Interpreting is deeply embedded in social structures, institutions, and technologies—not merely a technical transfer of words between languages. In this wide-ranging interview, Esther Monzó-Nebot and Vorya Dastyar introduce a digital sociology of interpreting, an emerging approach that explores how digitalization—AI, platforms, remote work, algorithmic systems—is reshaping not only the profession but its role in society. Rather than viewing technology as neutral or inevitable, the interview critically examines how it affects power relations, professional identities, labor conditions, and the visibility of interpreters. It draws from feminist theory, sociology of professions, and critical data studies to reveal how digital systems can reinforce inequalities—by marginalizing certain interpreters, embedding gendered assumptions, or depersonalizing interaction. The interview also argues for a more socially aware, historically grounded approach to interpreting studies—one that reclaims human agency, ethical judgment, and the potential of interpreters to act as agents of inclusion, especially in systems increasingly governed by opaque technologies.

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Photo by Fredrick Tendong on Unsplash

Photo by Fredrick Tendong on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This article is timely and significant because it brings a much-needed sociological perspective to rapid technological changes in the interpreting profession. While many discussions about interpreting and AI focus on tools and efficiency, this piece digs deeper into power, agency, inequality, and professional identity—issues often overlooked in tech-driven conversations. By framing interpreting within digital sociology, the authors highlight how interpreters are affected by—and can respond to—structural forces such as algorithmic governance, platform capitalism, and gender bias. This work challenges the idea that digital change is neutral or inevitable, arguing instead for critical reflection, ethical design, and sociological awareness. It opens up new paths for research, policy, and practice, making it essential reading for anyone interested in the future of interpreting, the digital transformation of professions, or the broader social consequences of AI in the workplace.