We exist for one reason: to help people in moments that matter. Every interaction we facilitate impacts a life, whether it's a parent seeking care for their child or a patient navigating a critical diagnosis.
That's why the responsible sourcing of interpretation services matters deeply.
Our industry is at a crossroads. Economic pressures have led many organisations to seek low-cost alternatives, resulting in a wave of new entrants. These solutions often claim to handle all levels of interpretation, from casual to complex, at a fraction of the cost. Some rely on interpreter rates that are unsustainably low, while others use AI tools built on generic public data.
But lower costs often come with higher risks. Even when well intended, these approaches fall far short of the standards required for equitable and accurate interpretation, especially in high-stakes environments.
Too often, these methods depend on linguists who haven't been properly vetted, or on professionals who are underpaid and stretched too thin. This undermines interpreter well-being and increases the risk of serious errors. At the same time, AI tools based on public datasets often lack the cultural insight, linguistic range, and human nuance needed for real world communication.
These aren't just technical gaps. They're real human risks, with potentially serious consequences.
We won't take part in a race to the bottom. Instead, we're making the choice to lead with principle.
To us, responsibly sourced interpretation means investing in the people behind every conversation. We work with certified professionals who've been rigorously trained, many of whom bring specialised expertise in healthcare, legal, or emergency settings. We support them with continuing education, strong systems, and the resources they need to excel, because accuracy in critical moments can't be compromised.
We are thrilled about the potential for AI to extend our mission, but we must be thoughtful in how we use it. Our proprietary AI solutions are built using ethical design practices, diverse and consent-based datasets, and expert linguistic input. We include essential human oversight and real context awareness in every deployment.
We use innovation to reach our highest potential, not our lowest.
When you partner with LanguageLine, you're doing more than buying a service. You're choosing fairness over shortcuts, accuracy over speed alone, and people over platforms. You're aligning with a team that won't cut corners, because what's at stake is far too important for anything less.
Simon Yoxon-Grant is President and CEO of LanguageLine Solutions.
To learn more about our AI solutions, please click here.