Beyond the Babel: How Interprefy is Making 100+ Languages Flow in Real-Time at Global Events

I asked Oddmund Braaten, CEO of multilingual event technology and services provider, Interprefy, to give us an overview of their offerings and tell us more about how they're leveraging Conversational AI.

It's tempting nowadays to assume that you can just throw an audio feed through to ChatGPT and have it do everything for you. Well, no. Not quite. Read on for some fascinating detail on how the Interprefy team manage things.

Over to you Oddmund - my questions are in bold:

Tell us about Interprefy's mission in reshaping global communication - what's the company's background and focus?

Interprefy’s mission has always been to break down language differences and enable seamless global communication. Since our founding in 2014, we have been at the forefront of remote simultaneous interpretation, transforming how businesses and organisations connect across languages.

Our platform acts as a virtual booth, giving companies access to the best interpreters worldwide, without the logistical challenges of travel or the limitations of a local talent pool. This not only makes multilingual events more efficient but also significantly reduces their carbon footprint while providing interpreters with broader opportunities.

As we move into 2025, Interprefy remains a leader in technological innovation. We’ve developed Interprefy AI, delivering real-time translation and captions in over 600 language combinations. A key differentiator is our Custom Vocabulary support, which allows us to train AI on event-specific names, terms and acronyms, ensuring unparalleled accuracy and clarity.

Powered by the world’s most advanced large language models, Interprefy AI is designed with a clear purpose: to complement human expertise, not replace it. We work closely with our clients to assess their needs and provide the best solution, whether through AI-powered translation, human interpretation, or a hybrid approach. Our commitment is to making global conversations effortless, inclusive and precise.

The Oscars, BAFTAs, global entertainment - they're all grappling with language barriers. What made you zero in on this space? 

At Interprefy, we saw a unique opportunity to support the global entertainment industry by addressing one of its most pressing challenges: multilingual communication.

Events like the Oscars, the BAFTAs and other international entertainment showcases bring together people from all corners of the world. These events are viewed by millions and ensuring that everyone can participate in the conversation, regardless of language, is critical for accessibility and inclusivity.

Our focus on this space stems from our core belief that communication shouldn’t be limited by language differences.

The entertainment industry, with its diverse audience and international talent, represents a perfect fit for the solutions we offer. By providing seamless, real-time interpretation and translation, we’re enabling more people to enjoy these iconic events and ensuring that every voice is heard, whether they’re on stage or watching from afar.

 At Interprefy, we’ve always been motivated by the belief that technology can bring the world closer together and helping global entertainment events tackle cross-lingual challenges is a key part of that vision. By offering flexible, scalable solutions that can adapt to any event, we are proud to play a role in making these world-class moments accessible to a truly global audience.

Your implementation at the European Film Awards 2024 caught my attention. Walk us through the behind-the-scenes tech challenges?

Delivering real-time multilingual live translation and captions at the European Film Awards 2024 was an exciting challenge and our approach was all about precision, efficiency and seamless integration.

Our setup was designed to be as streamlined as possible. We used two key hardware components:

●      Box 1 was connected to the OB (Outside Broadcast) van, which handled the live production. We received the audio and video feed and sent back an SRT (SubRip Subtitle) file, ensuring a stable, high-quality transmission.

●      Box 2 was responsible for output, specifically, delivering live captions onto the screens in the venue. 

To manage language switching dynamically, we deployed an on-site computer operated by our team. With 21 languages in play, we ensured that whenever a presenter spoke in their native language, our system switched captions accordingly, providing an accurate, real-time transcription. 

For the audience, accessibility was key. Guests in the room could simply scan a QR code to access our mobile app, which offered live translation and captions in their preferred language. This meant that no matter what language was spoken on stage, every attendee could follow along, either by reading captions or listening to the translated feed.

For the tech-curious among our readers - what's your deployment process look like to go live?

At Interprefy, we’ve perfected a deployment process that ensures multilingual communication runs as smoothly as possible, regardless of the event. Whether it’s a global awards ceremony or a corporate summit, we take a structured yet flexible approach to going live. However, it’s important to note that each deployment is tailored to the specific event.

That said, the core process remains the same: It all starts with preparation. We work closely with organisers and AV teams to understand their specific needs, whether that’s AI speech translation, captions, machine-translated (MT) captions, or human interpretation. If it’s an AI-powered solution, we configure our platform, train the system with Custom Vocabulary to enhance accuracy and conduct rigorous testing on audio and video feeds. 

If the event calls for simultaneous interpretation, we bring in the best interpreters, experts in the subject matter and fully certified on our platform—so they can deliver the highest quality interpretation.

On the day of the event, everything is set up to run seamlessly. Whether integrating with an existing AV system, deploying on-site captioning screens, or providing remote access for interpreters, our technology adapts to the event’s specific needs. Attendees can easily access interpretation or live translation and captions through a simple QR code on their mobile devices.

Once we go live, our remote support team actively monitors the entire process, ensuring smooth language switching and resolving any issues in real-time to deliver a flawless multilingual experience.

After the event, we provide detailed insights on performance, accuracy and engagement; helping organisers refine their multilingual strategy for future events. The key to a successful deployment is preparation, adaptability and a technology-driven approach.

Machine translation is everywhere now, but yours is different. What's your secret sauce?

At its core, machine translation is the foundation of live translation. Our development team continuously integrates the best large language models (LLMs) in the world and fine-tunes them to deliver highly accurate translations tailored to each event. Training AI with event-specific terminology, names and acronyms is key to ensuring a seamless experience. 

But technology alone isn’t enough. Our real secret sauce is the people behind it. From expert linguists to project managers and remote support technicians, our team works hand in hand with clients, guiding them through every step of the process and ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Live translation can be complex, but our cloud-based solutions are designed to be as user-friendly as possible for event organisers, making multilingual communication effortless. 

At the end of the day, it’s this perfect blend of advanced AI and human expertise that ensures every event is free of hurdles and every audience member feels included—no matter what language they speak.

LLM use has exploded in recent years. How has this shaped your tech stack?

The rise of large language models (LLMs) has transformed the language industry and at Interprefy, we’ve embraced this shift to enhance and expand our solutions.

The release of GPT in 2022 was a turning point. It introduced zero-shot translation at a quality level the world had never seen before.

We immediately recognised the potential to go beyond remote simultaneous interpretation and integrate AI-driven live translation into our offering. By 2023, we launched Interprefy AI, leveraging GPT and other cutting-edge LLMs to provide live translation. offering a cost-effective solution for use cases that don’t require human expertise. 

But we haven’t stopped there. As LLMs have evolved, so has our technology. Today, we provide live translation, captions and machine translation (MT) captions through our web platform and mobile app in more than 600 language combinations. Last year, we introduced Interprefy Now, enabling multilingual meetings to take place seamlessly without the need for monitoring or back-end language switching. And now, we’re taking it a step further with dynamic language selection, allowing speakers to choose their language on the fly, eliminating the need for pre-set configurations. 

By continuously adapting our tech stack, we’re not just keeping up with advancements in AI, we’re shaping the future of multilingual communication.

Quality is everything in live events. How do you keep your translations pitch-perfect? Can you give us an idea why you can't simply plug the feed into ChatGPT (or.. topical reference, DeepSeek) and have it do everything? 

Quality is everything in live events, and that’s exactly why you can’t just plug a feed into ChatGPT or DeepSeek and expect perfect results. 

While general-purpose LLMs have made huge strides in translation, they are not designed for the real-time demands of live multilingual communication. These models are trained on vast amounts of text, but they lack contextual awareness, struggle with industry-specific terminology, can introduce unpredictable errors or after a while just start hallucinating—all of which are unacceptable in high-stakes events.

At Interprefy, we take a different approach. We don’t just use AI—we refine it. Our AI-powered live translation integrates the world’s best LLMs, but we go a step further by training them with event-specific terminology through our Custom Vocabulary feature. This ensures that names, acronyms, and technical terms are translated accurately. Additionally, our system is optimised for low-latency performance, meaning there are no awkward delays or mismatched captions. Additionally, we provide live remote support throughout the event, ensuring the system operates smoothly and swiftly resolving any issues that may arise.

At the end of the day, live translation is about more than just words—it’s about delivering a flawless experience. That’s why Interprefy combines the power of AI with expert human guidance to ensure that every event runs smoothly, no matter the language.

Your research shows that 94% of event professionals are embracing AI translation. That feels like a bit of a 'well, obviously' moment - but a question for you - what is holding back the 6%?

It’s true, AI-powered translation is becoming the go-to solution for event professionals, but there are still cases where human expertise remains essential.

The 6% who haven't embraced AI live translation yet likely haven’t found the right use cases for it in their workflows. In highly nuanced contexts, such as diplomatic discussions, legal proceedings, or high-stakes corporate negotiations, accuracy, cultural sensitivity and tone are critical and this is where professional human interpreters excel. AI live translation, while incredibly advanced, still has limitations when it comes to capturing subtle meaning, emotion, or intent. 

That said, AI is constantly evolving and so are its applications. At Interprefy, we don’t position AI as a replacement for human interpretation but rather as a complementary tool. It’s about choosing the right solution for the right scenario—whether that’s AI-powered live translation for efficiency and accessibility or human expertise for moments where precision is non-negotiable.

Looking into your crystal ball, what developments in conversational AI over the next 3-5 years excite you most? Where do you see the biggest potential for transformation?

Conversational AI has made remarkable strides in recent years and looking ahead, I see incredible potential for transformation across multiple industries.

One of the most exciting developments is the evolution of open-source models and continual learning, DeepSeek, for example, which will enable AI to better understand context, nuance, and user intent over time. As AI systems become more sophisticated, we’ll see a shift from rigid, pre-programmed responses to more dynamic, human-like interactions—enhancing everything from customer service to real-time translation.

For the language industry, this means AI-powered multilingual communication will become even more seamless and natural. Future advancements in neural networks and natural language processing will improve real-time interpretation, making AI-driven speech translation more accurate and context-aware.

This will be a game-changer for live events, global business meetings, and even entertainment, where real-time subtitles and dubbing could feel as natural as a human interpreter.

Of course, with these advancements come ethical and privacy considerations. As AI becomes more embedded in our daily lives, responsible development will be crucial to ensure transparency, data security and unbiased language processing.

At Interprefy, we’re closely following these innovations and integrating the latest breakthroughs to push the boundaries of multilingual communication. The future of Conversational AI isn’t just about better technology, it’s about making global conversations truly effortless.

You've hit a few milestones recently – 100,000 events and 10 million users! What patterns are you seeing across the industries you're serving?

Reaching 100,000 events and 10 million users is a huge milestone and along the way, we've gained valuable insights into how different industries are embracing live translation.

Across sectors, we’re seeing a clear shift towards AI-powered speech translation and multilingual accessibility. Live translation is most in demand for business meetings, industry conferences and company-wide events, as more professionals recognise the need to make their content accessible to multilingual audiences.

One key trend is the rapid adoption of hybrid and remote event formats. As organisations expand globally, they need solutions that remove communication barriers in real time, whether for internal all-hands meetings, client presentations, or large-scale conferences. As you might have seen in our Global Businesses and Live Translation Market Research Report, 65% of organisations cite accessibility as their primary reason for adopting live translation, while 61% highlight its role in boosting audience engagement. 

We’re also seeing more companies explore AI-driven solutions alongside traditional interpretation. While in-person and Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI) remain essential in many contexts, AI-powered translation is filling a crucial gap. providing scalable, cost-effective multilingual support for a wider range of use cases. 

The overarching pattern is clear: live translation is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ but a must-have for organisations looking to engage diverse, global audiences. The demand for seamless, real-time multilingual communication will only continue to grow and at Interprefy, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this transformation.

Finally – in the ongoing debate of "AI vs human translation" – what's your view: When do you use each? I'm curious about your approach here. 

First and foremost, it’s crucial to distinguish between translation and interpretation, one applies to written text, while the other is real-time oral communication. When we talk about AI speech translation versus simultaneous interpretation, we’re addressing a shift that’s reshaping the industry and naturally, interpreters are noticing these changes in their field.

That being said, human interpreters remain irreplaceable in certain contexts. High-stakes meetings, diplomatic negotiations and nuanced discussions require more than just word-for-word translation—they demand cultural awareness, emotional intelligence and an understanding of tone and intent that only a human can provide. Interpreters don’t just translate words; they interpret meaning, adjust for regional sensitivities and ensure messages are conveyed exactly as intended.

AI speech translation, on the other hand, serves a different purpose. It’s ideal for large-scale accessibility, cost-effective multilingual support and real-time content distribution in scenarios where precision and nuance are less critical. It enables global businesses to scale their multilingual communication quickly and efficiently, making content accessible in ways that wouldn’t be possible with human interpretation alone.

At Interprefy, we don’t see this as an "AI vs. human" debate—we see it as an opportunity to combine the best of both worlds. AI live translation and human interpretation are complementary, not competing. 

Our role is to help organisations choose the right solution for the right moment, ensuring that every event, meeting, or conversation is as seamless and inclusive as possible.

Oddmund, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions - that was absolutely fascinating!

You can find Oddmund on LinkedIn and can read more about his company Interprefy at www.interprefy.com.