Cahiers de Traduction
Volume 31, Numéro 1, Pages 124-130
2025-06-01

The Intersection Of Ai And Cognitive Load In Simultaneous Interpreting: New Frontiers

Authors : Bezzouacha Ilhem .

Abstract

This paper investigates the dynamic interplay between artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and cognitive load management in simultaneous interpreting. Anchored in cognitive load theory (CLT) and informed by cutting-edge AI-assisted interpreting tools, this study dissects how these technologies reshape the mental demands on interpreters. Through a synthesis of theoretical models, empirical data, and speculative scenarios, it posits that AI can alleviate specific cognitive burdens—such as auditory processing and lexical retrieval—while simultaneously introducing novel challenges, including technology oversight and workflow disruption. The analysis culminates in a call for a symbiotic human-AI framework, with far-reaching implications for training paradigms, professional identity, and interdisciplinary research. This work enriches the discourse on technology’s role in interpretation studies and lays a conceptual groundwork for navigating the intricate dance between human cognition and machine assistance in real-time communication.

Keywords

: simultaneous interpreting, cognitive load, artificial intelligence, human-AI collaboration, working memory.