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Exploring the effects of mental workload on professional well-being of AI‑empowered translators and interpreters

ORCiD logo with link | Guangdong University of Foreign StudiesGuangzhou | Jinan UniversityGuangzhou
 | Huaqiao UniversityQuanzhou
Published online: 5 January 2026
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/tcb.25006.zho
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly improved the efficiency of translation and interpreting (T&I), yet its cognitive and psychological impacts remain underexplored. To address this, 299 Chinese translators and interpreters were surveyed, and interviews were conducted with 12 respondents, focusing on mental workload, anxiety, adaptation, and professional well-being. The results show that AI adoption reduces mental workload and improves professional well-being, but also increases the anxiety induced by AI use. However, this anxiety does not directly affect professional well-being. Effective adaptation strategies and continual training are essential for optimizing AI’s benefits. While AI streamlines initial T&I tasks, it increases cognitive demands during post-editing. These findings emphasize the need for a human-centered approach that balances AI’s efficiency gains with its negative cognitive effects, so as to foster a collaborative relationship between T&I professionals and AI.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Literature review
    • 2.1AI in translation and interpreting
    • 2.2AI anxiety in translation and interpreting
    • 2.3Mental workload in translation and interpreting
    • 2.4Research questions and hypotheses
  • 3.Methodology
    • 3.1Survey respondents
    • 3.2Measures
    • 3.3Data collection
  • 4.Data analysis and results
    • 4.1Survey: Quantitative analysis and model assessment
      • Descriptive results
      • Reliability and validity analysis
      • Structural model and hypotheses testing
      • Mediating effects tests
    • 4.2Interview: Qualitative analysis
  • 5.Discussion
    • 5.1MWL, AIA, ADP, and PWB
    • 5.2AIA and PWB
    • 5.3Implications and limitations
  • 6.Conclusion
  • References
References (70)
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