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New research has identified three major barriers preventing APAC event organisers from adopting multilingual live translation services, despite strong demand for more inclusive, internationally accessible business events.
Adoption gaps
Some 71% of organisers in APAC report high or very high demand for multilingual live translation and interpretation services at their business events, according to the Accelerating Global Communication study by Interprefy, a provider of managed Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI) and AI-powered live translation technology and services.
Still in APAC, 15% of multilingual event organisers do not use any translation tools or services – whether RSI, AI-generated live text captioning or AI-powered speech translation services – for business events or professional meetings. For RSI alone, almost two-thirds (63%) do not use the interpretation service for major events like trade shows or conferences.
AI distrust
When it comes to AI-powered translation, trust, affordability and confidence in data security are key factors shaping decisions in the region.
Nearly half of respondents (47%) cited concerns about whether AI-generated live text captions can accurately convey intended meaning, while 41% expressed anxiety about how AI systems process, transmit or store confidential information. A further 42% said their ability to adopt multilingual solutions is restricted by tight event budgets.
Oddmund Braaten, CEO at Interprefy, commented: “APAC is one of the most internationally connected regions in the world, yet many organisers still perceive multilingual technology as a potential risk and are unsure which solution fits their needs. Concerns over cost, confidentiality and how well AI conveys meaning in certain contexts can slow adoption. These aren’t barriers to innovation; they highlight the need for clearer assurances, better tooling and more transparent guidance from technology partners.”
The research highlights that many event teams remain uncertain about when to use AI, when human interpreters are essential, or how a mixed event setup can help balance accuracy, cost and security.
Braaten added: “If APAC is to maintain its position as a global hub for business, diplomacy and innovation, multilingual accessibility cannot remain optional. The technology is ready now; it’s about ensuring people feel confident using it. Organisers across the region need to take decisive steps to strengthen their understanding of how AI, human interpretation and mixed models can work together.”
To unlock the region’s multilingual potential, Interprefy stresses the importance of building stronger trust in multilingual technologies and AI-enabled solutions, providing transparent information about security standards, and developing cost-efficient models that allow organisations of all sizes to offer inclusive language access.
Without these steps, the report warns that multilingual services may continue to sit on the wishlist rather than the agenda.
The study polled 1,000 decision-makers across the Middle East and APAC countris including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, China, South Korea and Japan in 2025.