Translation & Interpreting, AI, and the Language Industry: Research and Professional Practice

Translation & Interpreting, AI, and the Language Industry:
Research and Professional Practice
may 19-22, 2026
IULM, Milan (Italy)
Sala dei 146 (IULM 6)

Technological innovation is reshaping the field of translation and interpreting radically. Over the last few decades, increasing recourse to digital tools and, more recently, to AI has transformed workflows, improving standards of quality, speed and efficiency, and causing a redefinition of professional profiles, with the emergence of new specialist roles. At the same time, the rise of an increasingly technology-driven paradigm has fuelled concerns and debates about the gradual marginalisation of human expertise.

To address these issues and respond to the questions they raise, leading experts from around the world — prominent academics as well as professionals and representatives of international organisations — will gather at IULM under the patronage of CIUTI (Conférence internationale permanente d'instituts universitaires de traducteurs et interprètes), the world’s oldest association of universities dedicated to translator and interpreter training, a global network of excellence encompassing the most prestigious institutions worldwide.

The event is structured around two core sessions. The first is an international conference (19–20 May), featuring over 70 experts from 17 countries, focusing on research into the effects this ongoing paradigm shift is having on the professional profiles of translators and interpreters and on their training. Alongside this academic track, the programme will feature a series of panel discussions addressing the professional and occupational aspects of the ongoing technological evolution, with the participation of representatives from leading international institutions, such as the WHO and the European Commission, the most prestigious professional associations and leading language service providers.

Keynote speakers:

• Sabine Braun (University of Surrey)

• Amparo Hurtado Albir (Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona)

View the full programme

The second session of the event is the CIUTI General Assembly (21–22 May), bringing together representatives of the 65 CIUTI member institutions from over 20 countries. The Assembly will reflect on the results of the Conference and their relevance for the future of the Association and its members at a time of profound transformation in the sector.

Overall, the event will foster a meaningful exchange of scientific, professional, and cultural perspectives, offering a realistic and up-to-date picture of a field that — like many others — has undergone radical changes in recent years, in terms of both scale and speed, as a result of unprecedented technological progress.

The conference is organised with the support of IULM University and CIUTI.

The conference is part of the Badge of Honour activities for students enrolled in the Master’s degree programmes in Specialised translation and conference interpreting and in Translation, Interpreting and Digital Communication.

To obtain the Badge of Honour, students are required to attend three half-day sessions of the international conference  of their choice ( out of the four scheduled on 19 and 20 May):

• 19 May morning (9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)
• 19 May afternoon (2-5:30 p.m.)
• 20 May morning (9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)
• 20 May 20 afternoon (2:00-5:30 p.m.)

For Master's Degree Courses in Specialised Translation and Conference Interpreting and in Translation, Interpreting and Digital Communication, participation in at least 3 half-days will correspond to the completion of one of the activities for the purpose of earning the Badge of Honour.