AI interpreting

Preliminary remark

The expectations for AI interpreting are very dynamic, as development is progressing rapidly. Today (early 2025), the best live translation is still performed by human interpreters.

The speed of human interpreting is higher because the AI (based on LLM*) must wait until a sentence is finished before it starts translating. This can lead to longer pauses, e.g. when speakers use very long sentences. We recommend that you try out for yourself whether AI or human interpreters are the right choice for your event.

avl interpreters llc offers both.

The event

Depending on the type and duration of the event, reverting to AI may be sensible. The following criteria should help with the decision:

Type of event:

Very suitable: a presentation by a skilled speaker in his native language

Suitable: a training, but without in-depth discussions

Less suitable: All-day conferences and meetings

Not suitable: Workshops with many participants’ contributions

Duration of the event:

Suitable: between 30 to 90 minutes

Not suitable: full-day events in the main languages (GER, FR, EN), but quite suitable for secondary languages such as IT and SP (few participants).

Technology

Great attention should be paid to the sound system. Professional microphones are preferable and sources of noise such as machines and interjections should be avoided.

When using multiple microphones (headset and handheld microphones), a mixing desk is required.

A technician is necessary for the pre-tests, set-up and smooth running of the event.

The Internet bandwidth must be clarified in advance. For events with many participants, it is necessary to contact Swisscom. If the bandwidth is insufficient, incorrect playback is to be expected.

Please note

Confidentiality cannot be fully guaranteed for Internet connections.

The vocabulary of technical and scientific presentations can lead to misinterpretations and make the AI interpretation incomprehensible. We therefore offer to define up to 50 words (technical terms, names, brands, etc.) in advance and use them to train the AI.

Copyright infringements cannot be completely avoided with AI interpreting.

Phrases are often difficult to translate and are therefore rarely rendered correctly by the AI.

"The AI is often unable to correctly recognise subtleties such as tone of voice. Questions are sometimes translated as statements, which is irritating." **

"Human interpreters would point out uncertainties, for example if something was not clearly understood. AI is different: "The machine will never say that it has a problem, but will simply offer something, even if it is not sure". Bluntly put: AI will say something made up." **

We work together with a Swiss partner for AI simultaneous translation (interpreting).

FURTHER SERVICES OF AVL INTERPRETERS LLC WITH AI

For AI translations, we offer "proofreading, post-editing".

For training courses and PR/marketing recordings, we offer AI subtitling or AI voice-over in foreign languages.

*LLM: Large Language Models, is a language model characterised by its ability to generate text.

** Source: SRF (Swiss Radio and Television), science magazine of January 21,.2025

What clients say about avl interpreters:

«The simultaneous translation German - French by Annette von Lerber and her colleague at our management meeting in Arbon in the canton of Thurgau was very clear and fluent. Since we started working with avl interpreters we have noticed a high quality in the simultaneous interpreting which had not been the case before.»
EgoKiefer AG, Windows and Doors, Charles Buffalo, Regional Sales Director, Villeneuve/VD
«The simultaneous interpreting German – French for female UBS executives at the ‘Ladies Top Table’ was very much appreciated. The translator Annette von Lerber from avl interpreters was excellent.»
UBS executive, Conference Centre Wolfsberg, Ermatingen, Canton of Thurgau
«I was very satisfied with the performance of the German-French interpreters, who were very familiar with our technical terms. The technical solution proposed by AVL interpreters (video conference via zoom) also worked smoothly and the clear instructions were very helpful. It was very reassuring to have such a competent partner at our side during the whole period from planning to the end of the event.»
Organisation of the working environment, Nicole Schaffner, Co-Head of the office, Solothurn
«As last year, the simultaneous translators’ job at our management meeting was very good and professional in Lucerne. The administrative support by the AVL interpreters’ office was impeccable as well. All our participants’ feedback was exclusively positive regarding the quality of the live translation German – English – French!»
Heineken Switzerland AG, Nicole Platero, Assistant to the Managing Director, Lucerne
«The German – French simultaneous interpretation, the translation equipment and AVL’s backoffice – all were perfect! The well-functioning team, Annette von Lerber & Jean-Jacques Nyffenegger, was brilliant at our training in Bussigny near Lausanne. I was thrilled – and I still am!»
Schindler Lift Ltd., Martin Winterhalder, Maintenance Methods Specialist, Ebikon
«Thanks to the great simultaneous translation from English into German by Annette von Lerber and her colleague of avl interpreter, I was able to easily follow the speakers at the X.DAYS Conference on Information Communication Technology ICT sponsored by the Swiss Media Group NZZ at the Victoria Jungfrau Hotel in Interlaken.»
Alfred Müller AG, Reo Eisenegger, Department Head and Vice Director of Information Technology, Baar

All customer references