From Sci-Fi to Reality: The New Quality Leadership Standard in RSI

15 Years Ago, It Sounded Like Science Fiction. Today, It’s Called Remote Simultaneous Interpreting (RSI)

Nearly a decade before I delivered my very first RSI assignment in 2019, I told a Portuguese colleague that one day, we would be able to do the work we love without travelling long distances or spending nights in anonymous hotel rooms. At the time — around 2010 — such an idea sounded as far-fetched as UFOs landing on Earth. Yet even then, I already held a vision of what remote interpreting could look like, though admittedly without imagining the sophisticated RSI platforms that would later make it possible. 

I have always considered myself something of a visionary, but of course, visions alone do not change the world. It took the ingenuity of engineers, programmers, and technicians to transform such ideas into functioning technologies — into RSI itself.

As a Lithuanian, I feel a deep sense of pride that one of the most successful solutions in this field was born here. Lithuania has established itself as fertile ground for world-renowned startups and global business ventures, and Interactio - Multilingual Meetings Solution is a shining example. What once existed only in my imagination materialised through the creativity and determination of this remarkable team. From modest beginnings as a simple app, they have developed a platform that is now a sophisticated ecosystem for conference interpreting and event management — one that bridges physical distances and brings people closer together.

Its impact has been profound. It ensured continuity during the COVID-19 lockdowns, allowing us, conference interpreters, to keep working and earning a livelihood. It enabled organisers to hold multilingual meetings while saving on logistics costs and retaining interpretation as part of the event, which they would otherwise could not have afforded. And today, it has become an integral part of our professional lives — a tool as familiar and indispensable as the interpreting booth itself.

Let me be clear: I do not prefer remote over onsite interpreting, nor the reverse. I love both modes equally, each enriching the other. Onsite, I cherish the energy of physical events, the face-to-face encounters with colleagues, the immersive atmosphere, and the unique confidentiality that some settings demand, where no remote technologies are allowed. At the same time, RSI offers the privilege of doing what I love while staying close to home and family. Both modes, with their respective advantages and drawbacks, have immeasurably enriched both my professional path and my personal life.

And then there is the matter of team leadership. I have had the privilege of serving as a Team Leader on numerous occasions, but doing so in RSI contexts — especially with events covering 27+ languages — is an entirely different undertaking. Remote interpreting requires skills distinct from conventional booth work, and leading such teams demands yet another skill set altogether. It took me several RSI assignments as a regular interpreter to distil the principles that later shaped my own communication rules as a Team Leader. Admittedly, my rules are strict — performance can only be optimal when distractions are minimised — but our virtual “after-parties” have always been lively and full of joy 

The truth is, RSI team leadership carries an enormous cognitive load. The responsibility is immense, the tension high, and by the end of the day one feels utterly drained. And yet, it is also immensely rewarding. When everything runs smoothly, when dozens of colleagues scattered across time zones sound as if they were one voice, it feels like achieving the impossible. Moreover, the experience equips one with new skills and competencies — and what better way to keep evolving, both professionally and personally?

Throughout this journey, I have been fortunate to collaborate with the extraordinary Interactio team. I am especially grateful to Aleksandra Smoczyńska and Palina Zelikava, whose tireless work behind the scenes — planning, advising, negotiating for better sound, securing documents, briefing teams — has been invaluable. They have always listened attentively to Team Leaders’ feedback, even implementing suggestions such as introducing co-Team Leaders to share responsibilities, which made every subsequent experience smoother and more sustainable.

No, RSI team leadership is not easy. But when it works, it is nothing short of inspiring. It is proof that with vision, dedication, and collaboration, we can rise to new challenges and grow stronger as a profession.

My heartfelt thanks to Interactio - Multilingual Meetings Solution, Aleksandra Smoczyńska, and Palina Zelikava  for your unwavering support, for your recognition, and for walking this journey with me!