Ethical Risks and Structural Implications of AI-Mediated Medical Interpreting

Comprehensive Summary

This article examines the increasing use of artificial intelligence in medical interpreting and public health communication. While AI can support communication, it introduces risks related to accuracy, confidentiality, and equity, particularly for speakers of low-resource languages. Automated translation often struggles with regional dialects, figurative language, and sensitive conversations, which can compromise patient safety, informed consent, and trust. The large datasets required for AI also raise privacy and surveillance concerns. The author argues that AI should supplement, not replace, professional interpreters and operate under supervision with clear regulatory safeguards.

Outcomes and Implications

Routine reliance on AI for medical interpreting could lower standards of care for patients with limited English proficiency and worsen health disparities. Public health systems should prioritize human expertise, language rights, and equity, ensuring AI is used as an optional tool under strict oversight rather than as a cost-cutting substitute.