9th International Conference on Public Service Interpreting and Translation

Several issues pose complex challenges and require further discussion, such as the use of machine translation (MT) and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), the need for inclusive language, and the gender perspective; or ethical issues that arise when working in high-risk environments such as in health, legal or humanitarian fields, In these fields, principles such as accuracy, confidentiality and impartiality are essential. In the same context, the well-being of the translator, interpreter or intercultural mediator, especially when faced with traumatic situations, is of the utmost importance.

International organisations, NGOs and humanitarian groups are increasingly aware of the need for good communication management and the importance of technology to improve the dissemination of information in crisis situations.

There is, in turn, a growing concern about the unequal accessibility of these digital resources to vulnerable communities, as well as the lack of attention to minority languages, which can lead to further social exclusion. The use of technology in international organisations and institutions raises ethical and quality issues, as seen in the increasing reliance on AI-assisted translations in asylum and immigration related settings.

Despite the growing popularity of GenAI and large linguistic models (LLM) and their use in all fields of knowledge, there is also the fear that technological progress will aggravate the already degraded quality of communication with migrant populations, and the development of languages of lesser difussion (LLD) programmes. Even so, it is undeniable that large technology companies are playing an increasingly important role in life-altering decision-making environments, such as the administration of justice, asylum and refugee applications, or healthcare. However, AI is already known to have limitations, both in the data and in the algorithms used, which raises ethical challenges.

Ultimately, changes in society generate new linguistic, social, and cultural realities. One of the main objectives of PSIT is to ensure accessibility to different audiences with diverse communication needs, unfamiliar challenges, and generally limited resources.

In this context, the PSIT9 Conference explores the multidimensional challenges that contemporary societies face. Its main objective is to stimulate a debate on the challenges and developments of AI, MT and MI and how they affect linguistic diversity, accessibility, as well as language communities in a hyper-connected world. Researchers / teachers / practitioners / language service providers are invited to submit proposals in English or Spanish to contribute to the inter- and transdisciplinary debate on PSIT, language rights, and technology.