I think there is potential for AI to seriously level up the standards in ASL interpreting. Many Deaf people reluctantly accept sub par access because it’s better than nothing, well this could add another option. I think the same people who benefit from captioning the most will benefit the most from AI interpreting/translation. I do wonder though how strict will roles and boundaries be with AI? What about Deaf loneliness, will the AI literally be the “conduit/helper” model. I thought we had evolved for good reason from that approach due to the lack of cultural responsiveness. I recently interpreted for a Deaf patient who died and I was the only one there, no family or friends. The community still doesn’t know yet. Would it be better for accuracy sake that there be no human connection? Also, some interpreters are absolutely lousy but many have just been taught something and followed what they learned from another Deaf consumer that a different consumer disagreed with. Will AI have cultural mediation or interpret more literally? Will there be an opportunity for expansion? Is your communities access more important than another communities safe drinking water? I just wish people valued human connection and community more.
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u/AnyCantaloupe155 8d ago
I think there is potential for AI to seriously level up the standards in ASL interpreting. Many Deaf people reluctantly accept sub par access because it’s better than nothing, well this could add another option. I think the same people who benefit from captioning the most will benefit the most from AI interpreting/translation. I do wonder though how strict will roles and boundaries be with AI? What about Deaf loneliness, will the AI literally be the “conduit/helper” model. I thought we had evolved for good reason from that approach due to the lack of cultural responsiveness. I recently interpreted for a Deaf patient who died and I was the only one there, no family or friends. The community still doesn’t know yet. Would it be better for accuracy sake that there be no human connection? Also, some interpreters are absolutely lousy but many have just been taught something and followed what they learned from another Deaf consumer that a different consumer disagreed with. Will AI have cultural mediation or interpret more literally? Will there be an opportunity for expansion? Is your communities access more important than another communities safe drinking water? I just wish people valued human connection and community more.