Easy-to-use AI interpreting promotes equality while saving time and money

Our wellbeing services county is the first in Finland to implement real-time AI-powered interpreting on a large scale in social and healthcare services. AI interpreting has already been used in more than 1,300 client encounters, and usage is constantly expanding to new units. AI interpreting as a finalist in the “AI Act of the Year” competition. 

AI interpreting is a service where the human interpreter is replaced by an AI application. It works in a mobile app or a web browser. The professional and the client each speak their own language; The app listens, translates, and plays back the translation.

As interpreting is available immediately, the service removes waiting times caused by the need for an interpreter. It supports multiple languages, including Russian, Arabic, Ukrainian, Somali, Persian and Albanian. It is currently used at maternity and child health clinics, in social services that support integration, and in targeted services for children and young people, with continuous expansion to other services. The goal is for AI-interpretation to become an established interpretation option for all employees across the wellbeing services county.

The application is designed specifically for social and health services and adheres to data-protection and ethical principles. The service is developed by a Finnish technology and interpreting service provider. Development is carried out in close collaboration with Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County. 

Around one fifth of our residents speak a language other than Finnish or Swedish, and the proportion is growing. Even at this pilot stage, the application has already produced significant savings in interpreting costs. 

According to user reviews, the AI-interpreting app is easy to use and particularly helpful when the client knows some Finnish (AI interpreting even supports the client's language learning).

Key benefits of AI interpreting

• Enables clients to handle private and sensitive matters without an external human interpreter.
• Makes client work faster and easier; saves time as the service is available immediately.
• Equal access to services in multiple languages, including less common ones.
• More flexible and smooth workflows, better interaction, and support for clients’ language learning.
• A neutral, modern solution that gives professionals new opportunities to develop their practice.

"We've seen in practice how AI interpreting enables clients to use services in their own language without delay and without an external human interpreter. This improves privacy and lowers the threshold to seek help. The neutrality of the technology matters to us: the app does not make conclusions on the client’s behalf; it simply relays the message. We’re particularly pleased that the solution has already delivered significant savings. We continuously develop the service with users and the technology provider to ensure it meets everyday needs as well as possible, says Pasi Ojaniemi, Director of Support Services.

"A place in the AI Gala final is a fine recognition for all our staff. It shows that we are a pioneer bringing responsible AI into frontline client work. Thank you to everyone who has adopted AI interpreting and improved it with your feedback." 

More information and FAQs on AI interpreting

AI interpreting as a finalist in the “AI Act of the Year” competition. The winner in the category AI Achievement of the Year will be announced at the AI Gala(external link) at Logomo in Turku on 17 November 2025. The gala is organised by AI Finland. 

AI Gala finalists(external link)