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Aipedia: Translators and interpreters
UK translators and interpreters widely use machine translation, large language models and AI speech tools, but no binding AI rules exist and the linguist stays responsible for the output. Errors in AI-assisted work can lead to claims that land on professional indemnity (PI) insurance.
Part of: AI in Translators and interpreters
In short
Translation and interpreting are not regulated by statute in the UK, so AI standards come from professional bodies and from buyers such as courts, police and the NHS. CIOL, ITI and NRPSI all accept that AI is here to stay but stress human oversight in high-stakes work, and CIOL says AI is not accountable for its output. NHS England flagged patient-safety risks from AI translation apps in May 2025. The legal duty of reasonable care and skill applies whether text is human, machine or post-edited. Translators' PI usually responds to negligent errors in AI-assisted work, subject to the policy terms and what the insurer was told.
Machine translation (MT) has been part of professional translation for years, usually alongside translation memory. Large language models (LLMs) and generative AI tools have added new options: drafting, rewriting for tone, terminology research and quality checks. In public services, NRPSI reports that AI speech recognition, automated translation and AI transcription are increasingly used, which brings AI into the interpreter's world as well as the translator's.
CIOL's AI Voices white paper cites a survey of Association of Translation Companies members: 82% used translation memory, 71% used MT and 25% used LLMs or generative AI. The same paper warns that organisations may cut corners when AI output seems "good enough".
Common uses across the profession include:
Translation and interpreting are not regulated by statute in the UK. Standards come from professional bodies and from the organisations that buy language services. None of the bodies below has issued a binding AI rule, and their general codes of conduct, not AI-specific rules, set the professional standard.
| Body | What it has published on AI | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CIOL | AI Voices (2023), AI Voices 2025, and a 2025 Translators Day speech saying AI "is not accountable" for its output | Guidance and advocacy |
| ITI | AI Working Group set up September 2023; Phase 1 report to the Board, 3 September 2024 | Recommendations only |
| NRPSI | Article on AI in public service interpreting, 5 March 2026, calling for regulation and human oversight | An article, not a rule |
| NHS England | Improvement framework for community language services, 27 May 2025, raising patient-safety concerns about AI translation apps | Framework and recommendations |
Ministry of Justice guidance for court and tribunal interpreting stresses accuracy, impartiality and confidentiality, which NRPSI links to fair trial rights. For more detail, see CIOL, ITI and NRPSI positions on AI.
A translator supplying a service in the course of business must use reasonable care and skill: section 13 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 for business clients and section 49 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 for consumers. These duties apply whether the words came from a human, a machine or a post-edit. CIOL's 2025 Translators Day speech makes the same point from a professional angle: because AI is not accountable, responsibility for high-stakes work rests with people.
Data protection law also applies. A translator handling documents for a law firm or NHS body usually acts as a processor and needs Article 28 terms under UK GDPR, and the ICO guidance on AI applies to any tool that processes personal data.
The risks below come up repeatedly in the guidance from CIOL, ITI, NRPSI and NHS England:
There is no statutory PI requirement for translators or interpreters, but agencies and public sector buyers may make PI a contract term. Our guide to PI for translators and interpreters explains the basics.
Translators' PI usually responds to claims alleging a negligent error in professional work, and many wordings may not distinguish between a mistake made by hand and one missed in a post-edit. Whether a particular AI-related claim is covered depends on the wording, the description of your business given to the insurer, any exclusions, and contract terms such as liability caps you agreed. Confidentiality breaches may sit partly in PI and partly in cyber cover. Our general article on whether PI covers AI mistakes sets out the questions to ask.
Each guide below looks at one task or issue in detail, with the duties that apply, an illustrative scenario and practical controls:
Apex arranges PI for translators and interpreters, from freelancers to agencies. A broker reviews your cover, how your policy treats MT and AI-assisted work, and whether your client contracts match it.
No. Translation and interpreting are not regulated by statute in the UK. CIOL, ITI and NRPSI have published papers, reports and articles on AI, but none is a binding AI rule. Buyers such as courts, police and the NHS set their own expectations on accuracy, impartiality and confidentiality.
Usually, yes. The duty to use reasonable care and skill applies to the service you supply, whatever tools you use. CIOL says AI is not accountable for its output, so responsibility rests with the linguist who delivers and signs off the work.
Often it will, if the claim alleges a negligent error in your professional work and the policy does not exclude it. Cover depends on the wording, what you told the insurer about your services and any contract terms you agreed. A broker can check how your policy treats AI-assisted work.
No binding rule requires it, but contracts, NDAs or client instructions may. Agreeing the workflow in writing, including whether MT or AI tools may be used, helps avoid scope disputes and confidentiality complaints, and gives you a clearer position if a claim arises.
Tell us about your firm and the work you do. A broker will review how your current PI treats AI-assisted work, or arrange new cover. No fee for a quote. Or call 0117 325 0027.
Start a PI quote Request a callbackApex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales, company number 07014570. This page is general information about how AI is used in the profession and how insurance may respond. It is not legal, regulatory or insurance advice on your circumstances, and it does not guarantee that cover will be available or on what terms.
