By Anthony Kelly
Publication Date: 2025-12-22 12:24:00
If a doctor cannot find an interpreter, many people now turn to Google Translate. It seems like a practical solution to a pressing problem. But a new study warns that this quick fix could put refugee and migrant patients at serious risk and expose them to translation errors that could lead to misdiagnosis, incorrect treatment, or worse.
The study, led by an interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Limerick – including us – examined how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to bridge language gaps between doctors and patients. The results reveal a worrying pattern: AI translation tools are increasingly replacing human interpreters in primary care practices, even though none of these apps have been tested for patient safety.
Anyone who has tried to explain themselves across a language barrier knows how easily meaning can slip away. In everyday situations – from nail salons to car mechanics – we often get by with gestures, guesses and good…
