Bridging Human Expertise and AI: The Future of Interpreters and Translators in Education

Forget dystopian robots stealing your job – EDU-CON 2025 in Long Beach, CA isn't about fearing AI, it's about forging a powerful partnership. This year's conference is all about bridging the gap between the human experience and the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, specifically within language access in education. Get ready to move beyond the buzzwords and dive into practical strategies for leveraging AI to enhance, not replace, our unique human skills.

We start with powerhouse keynote speakers, Montserrat Garibay and Nora Díaz, followed by sessions that are a masterclass in navigating this new era. We're not just talking theoretical musings; we're talking hands-on workshops, ethical considerations, and practical tools you can implement immediately.

Here's a sneak peek at what awaits:

AI as Your Ally

Discover how to make AI your ally, not your adversary! Drawing from Nora Díaz’s sessions, "Augmented Translation" and "Mobile Tech for Interpreters and Translators," and Leonor Prian's "Unlock the Power of AI for Project Success," you'll learn to use AI to amplify your skills, boosting efficiency and accuracy without compromising the critical human elements of nuance and contextual understanding. Think of it as upgrading your superpower, not replacing it.

Keeping the Human in the Loop

Katharine Allen, a returning favorite, offers not one, but two sessions! In her Pre-Conference Skill Development Session, "Keeping the Human in Interpreting: AI Tools for Preparation, Interpretation and Evaluation," and her session, "Leading from the Front: AI Adoption that Protects Language Access," she'll be guiding us on how to responsibly adopt AI while safeguarding the crucial human element in interpretation and ensuring equitable language access. It's about responsible innovation, not blind acceptance.

Beyond the Binary

Giovanna Carriero-Contreras's Pre-Conference Skill Development Session, "Ethics Beyond Human: Does Anyone Care? probe the deeper ethical considerations surrounding AI. Are we thinking about the impact beyond ourselves? This is where the conversation moves beyond the "how" and delves into the vital "why" and "what consequences" of our choices.

Sharpening Our Human Edge

Forget the panic; focus on honing your skills! Gabriela Seibach's "Keeping Up with the Machine: Practical Tools for Enhancing Completeness," Majd Haddad's "Brain Power for K-12 Interpreters," Eliane Sfeir- Markus's "Consecutive Without Note Taking", and Agustin De La Mora’s "Stop Reading your Notes! A Notetaking during Consecutive" offer concrete strategies to elevate your performance and stay ahead of the curve. This is about doubling down on what makes us uniquely human: critical thinking, adaptability, and empathy. 

Streamlining and Thriving

Marisela González's "Streamlining Translation Workflows: Best Practices from Start to Finish" and Ludmila Golovine's "From Hype to Real-World Solutions: The Interpreting Industry's Collaborative Response to AI" offer invaluable insights into optimizing processes and fostering collaborative efforts to navigate the evolving industry. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient future.

Beyond the Technical

Don't forget the essential human connection! Stacy Brown's "The Future is All About Family Engagement" reminds us that technology should ultimately serve to strengthen relationships and bridge divides within our communities. And Natalia Abarca's "Bridging Barriers: Empowering Student Success Through Language Access at Every Level" further solidifies the importance of this.

And finally, let's not forget self-care!Cecilia Berzunza's "To Stress or Not to Stress, the Interpreter’s Dilemma" reminds us that prioritizing our well-being is paramount, especially in a rapidly changing world.

EDU-CON 2025 is where vital conversations will be had, key connections will be made, and critical knowledge will be learned. It's an opportunity for interpreters and translators to equip ourselves with the tools to navigate the future of language access in education with confidence and purpose. This is your chance to be part of the solution, to shape the narrative, and to ensure that technology serves humanity, not the other way around.

Already registered? Check out the Edu-Con 2025 scheduleto get a sneak peak of all the events. ATA CEUs and CCHI CE hours are available.

For more information about Edu-Con 2025 and how to register, check out the CONFERENCE SITE.