AI as Colleague or Competitor? A Generational Rift in Simultaneous Interpretation Profession

Abstract

This study investigates the generational divide in perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI) within the simultaneous interpretation profession. Survey data from 110 students and professionals were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a Chi-Square test. Results show strong consensus that AI fails to capture emotional nuance and is inadequate for complex tasks yet is also viewed as a valuable assistant. A significant statistical association was found between professional role and perceiving AI as a threat (χ² = 18.42, p = .018), with 60% of established professionals viewing it as a threat compared to only 25% of students. The findings indicate an evolving role for human interpreters towards post-editing and high-stakes specialization, a transition met with significantly more apprehension by current professionals than by the next generation.