Loading......

Home > Featured-Content > For-LSPs > Industry-Data-and-Resources

leadership-image

Astrid Van Rossum

CEO Global Talk

In the rapidly changing world of technology and artificial intelligence, GenAI has gained a prominent role. Yet there is a prevailing fear regarding the impact of GenAI on the work of interpreters. The benefits of GenAI are many. It is capable of delivering real-time translations, making communication processes more efficient and faster, independent of time-zone or place. Moreover, GenAI can support languages that may be less common and for which interpreters are harder to find. It can also be a valuable addition in common, everyday situations, where fast but less accurate translation is good enough. There are numerous situations where there is a need for effective communication between different languages, but where interpreters are simply not available or easy to find.

While it is understandable that people are concerned about the potential replacement of interpreters, it is important to recognize that GenAI can actually be a valuable addition in places where interpreters are not yet being used. GenAI can bridge and break down communication barriers in such contexts. However, in high-context cultures, in languages with lots of different dialects, or in situations where accuracy is key (such as in a medical or legal context) the human added value of interpreting will still be necessary. Not only for the spoken word, but for the interpretation of cynicism, sarcasm, body language, and metaphors. Real understanding is more than just translating the spoken word, it is about how to interpret the spoken word to build real understanding and break down barriers between humans. Understanding is everything!

We currently live in a world full of turmoil and instability. Many people flee worrying situations daily in search of a safe haven. Freedom and security is unfortunately not a given for everyone. The world is increasingly interconnected yet plagued by instability—geopolitical tensions, economic fluctuations, and cultural divides. In this context, bridging language barriers is not just a service; it's a necessity for fostering understanding and cooperation.

Last year, we received a record number of interpreting requests at Global Talk- more than a million requests. This of course also transforms our organisation. For this reason, we have added additional roles to our staff considerably in 2023. This provides a strong foundation for future growth and continued quality in the coming years.

The digital revolution continues to transform communication, but the human element remains irreplaceable. Technology, such as AI and machine learning, is advancing rapidly, yet it cannot fully grasp the nuances of human emotions and cultural contexts that are integral to effective communication. As a result, there is a growing demand for skilled human interpreters who can navigate these subtleties, especially in critical areas like diplomacy, healthcare, and international business.

Our goal is to help as many people as possible in this uncertain world. That is not only our goal, we feel obliged to it. We are ready to become Europe's number 1 and make people really understand each other.