Digitalization in the Interpreting Industry. A Cross-National Analysis of Qatar, Italy, Belgium, and the UK

The proposed research explores the impact of digitalization on the interpreting industry, focusing on the evolving role of remote and automated interpreting technologies in reshaping workflows, professional standards, and practices. The study takes a cross-national approach, analyzing four key settings: Qatar, Italy, Belgium, and the UK. Qatar, as a leading hub in digital innovation and language technologies, is positioned at the center of this research, with a focus on its growing leadership in digital communication and its alignment with the National AI Strategy and Digital Agenda 2030. Through a qualitative comparative design (market analysis and ethnography), the project will generate actionable insights for enhancing the integration of advanced language technologies in Qatar, drawing lessons from the experiences of established interpreting markets in Europe. The study will also address key industry issues related to the use of automated language technologies and provide guidance on maintaining professional standards amid digital transformation. Expected outcomes include a deeper understanding of the digital transformation in the interpreting industry, a comparative analysis of market adoption and challenges, and practical recommendations for Qatar to further strengthen its regional and global leadership in language technologies. The project will contribute to Qatar's knowledge-based economy and innovation-driven development, to Qatar Foundation’s and CHSS’ research strategy aligned to the sustainable digitalization of local society, while advancing the scholarly and industry discourse on AI and interpreting technologies. Key deliverables will include conference presentations, peer-reviewed journal articles, and a comprehensive fieldwork report.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)