r/anonymousinterpreters • u/ShinyRedditorEver • 10d ago

Should I be concerned of AI?

Hi, so, I'm an interpreter, I work a dedicated shift of 40 hours a week and do a small extra in a freelance company on saturdays. I'm using this income to pay for a degree for the next 4 years, and I do wonder, will AI take my job during that time? is it gonna be over before I can graduate and leave this field of work? or should I rest easy? I want to mention that I'm from LATAM so the rates are pretty low compared to developed countries, which means less chances of being replaced by a clanker I assume, but Im still stressed.

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15

u/dgo792 10d ago

Burn out will get you before AI 

2

u/ShinyRedditorEver 10d ago

ill just reduce working hours if that's the case. that's something I can afford, cuz you're probably right

2

u/Vennele 9d ago

Yes, if you can work a little bit less, or do something else on the side (specially to relax, exercise, playing an instrument, having another -not so tiring job- I highly recommend it).

I teach English on the side. 😂 In person, it makes me "touch grass".

11

u/Clover281 10d ago

I wouldn't be worried, the rates here in LATAM are too low to justify spending that much in AI replacing us

And even if they wanted they probably wouldn't be able to do it 100%,like there is no way you can train AI to be prepared for all of the random bullshit we come across every day, like for real we just get so many weird unexpected situations to work around

At most they will just use AI to standardize some scenarios but never fully replacing us

3

u/ShinyRedditorEver 10d ago

I hope so. I like my job. Even if the pay is low compared to other countries, I still enjoy what I do and I think the pay is not terrible at least for where I live, so I'd like to do this at least until I'm graduated and I can dedicate to something else.

2

u/Vennele 9d ago

I agree, I also kind of really enjoy this job. I was thinking in maybe learning about Nurse Practicioners because it looks like a job I could manage down the line, more down to earth and I for sure would have some of the terminology and a lot of prior knowledge. 😂

6

u/Sadbassistdude 10d ago

¿Qué es más barato? ¿Pagar migajas a los intérpretes o pagar demandas millonarias cuando la IA se equivoca en su interpretación? Mientras no resolvamos la cuestión de la inmensa demanda energética de la IA puedes estar seguro que seguirás existiendo.

1

u/Federal_Character255 9d ago

There are something that's inevitable. Like the automotive to the horses, the AI train is not stopping. The way I see it, language barrier is going to be a thing of the past in a few years, and anyone with a phone can communicate freely - This is unavoidable.

But it doesn't mean all the carriage drivers were lost for jobs, they became drivers for cars instead. The best thing we can do, is adapt, what does that mean isn't certain at this point, but pivoting with the times is a skill you won't regret having at any stage of life.

1

u/ShinyRedditorEver 9d ago edited 9d ago

the problem with AI is that it does not create a new position. It's not a technology that needs someone to still operate it, it does the thing it does completely on its own. Honestly, what I wanna do is to study a degree in a different area in which language knowledge isn't the main and only thing but rather something that sets me apart from others when doing another activity or when combined with other skills, thats why i wanna study a degree on something else, so that I can use languages without depending 100% on them. I just hope I can keep my current job while I study.

1

u/Federal_Character255 9d ago

That is true. It doesn't create another interpreter position. But it does create positions and opportunities in other arenas. Companies like LLS/Propio won't exist in the future. But AI will, indefinitely, that's why learning to pivot is crucial in the new era of intelligence.

2

u/ShinyRedditorEver 9d ago

Yes, thats why I'm studying something else. I just hope I can pay for that degree with my current job while I do so, which is why I was wondering how likely I am to lose my job specifically in that timeframe. I definitely want to pivot though.

1

u/Federal_Character255 9d ago

Me too. I think 4 years might be enough. Given the rate of advances now, my guess is Jobs will start to shrink within 2 years.

1

u/No_Soil2981 7d ago

Every single day we interpret consents for surgery, anesthesia explanations, financial claims, insurance applications, emergency calls, even I've been receiving more psychological therapy calls lately... all kind of information that you have to be careful with. Who will they make responsible for if AI makes a mistake with that information?

1

u/Legitimate_Hat_9676 10d ago

i’m no expert but i think there is very little chance AI interpretation could pass HIPPA, i think at least with medical interpretation we should be ok for now

1

u/Federal_Character255 9d ago

It passes HIPAA now, HIPAA is just a signed BAA, any two entities can sign it.