AI live translation for events

Alternative to interpreters and interpreter booths

Why AI audio and live captioning are becoming the new standard for the modern event manager.

As an event manager you know better than anyone: an international audience is a compliment for your event, but a challenge for your budget. As soon as different languages are involved, you face a classic dilemma. Do you hire expensive interpreter booths, including the logistical hassle of distributing headsets? Or do you gamble that everyone 'understands English well enough'?

Today there is a third option: AI-powered live translation. But is software now good enough to replace a human interpreter? In this article we take stock. We look honestly at the costs, the quality and the logistics, so you can make the right choice for your next conference or product launch.

Comparison: Traditional Interpreters vs. AI Software

Feature	Human Simultaneous Interpreter	AI Audio & Captioning
Accuracy	Very high (understands nuance)	High (continuously improving)
Cost	High (day rates + equipment)	Low (software pricing)
Logistics	Heavy (booths & hardware)	Light (no hardware, BYOD)
Scalability	Limited (max. 2–3 languages)	Unlimited (20+ languages possible)
Inclusivity	Language only	Also supports deaf/hard of hearing

The honest trade-off: When to choose what?

Let's be honest: AI is not (yet) a human. The choice depends entirely on the type of event you are organising.

1. The "Gold Standard"

Human Simultaneous Interpreting

Interpreters sit in a soundproof booth and translate the speaker directly via radio frequency to headsets.

Choose this if: You are organising a diplomatic summit, a legal hearing or a highly exclusive VIP session where every nuance is critical.
The downside: Costs are high and the logistics (distributing and collecting headsets) frequently cause queues and stress at the exit.

2. The "Innovator"

AI Audio & Live Captioning

Attendees scan a QR code and hear the translation through their own smartphone or see the text live on a screen.

Choose this if: You are organising a business conference, webinar or training. It is the ideal solution when you want to control your budget, need scalability and want to offer a modern experience.
The downside: You depend on a stable internet connection at the venue.

Inclusivity: Make your event accessible to everyone

Accessibility is no longer a nice-to-have but a standard for every professional event. For the more than 466 million deaf and hard-of-hearing people worldwide, following a presentation is often a major challenge. AI technology bridges this gap:

Live Captioning: By converting spoken words directly into text, attendees with hearing loss can follow the presentation word for word on their own screen or a large display in the room.

Straight to the hearing aid: Because our solution works via attendees' own smartphones (Bring Your Own Device), they can stream audio directly to their Bluetooth-connected hearing aid or cochlear implant.

Equal experience: Everyone participates in the session in the same way, without the need for separate seating or special hardware.

Tip for organisers: Mention in your invitation that live captioning will be available. This significantly lowers the threshold for a large group of potential attendees and strengthens your image as an inclusive organisation.

📋 Checklist: Is your venue ready for AI translation?

Use these questions during your next site survey.

Connectivity: Is there stable Wi-Fi for attendees or sufficient 4G/5G coverage in the room?

Audio input: Can the AV technician provide a clean feed (clear audio signal) to the software?

Signage: Is there space for banners with QR codes so attendees can easily find the translation?

Ready to make your event international and inclusive?

Stop renting expensive booths and discover the freedom of AI translation. Leave the technology to us so you can focus on the content.