Abstract: The swift breakthroughs and broad deployment of Generative AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, have brought both benefits and challenges to the interpreting industry, garnering considerable attention across all walks of life. In November 2023, the EU’s Directorate-General for Interpretation (DG SCIC) convened its annual event “Attracting Talent for an Upskilled Profession” to deliberate upon the prevailing dynamics of the European interpretation industry, particularly in light of the burgeoning impact of AI technology on interpreter career trajectories. This paper begins with a thorough review of the conference, taking stock of its key thematic concepts. The AI impact is then discussed on the interpreting industry from three perspectives, to determine whether AI is friend or foe, how to proceed with the hybridization and division of labor, and the implications for teaching and training. The final part outlines some key insights into the future development of the interpreting industry in the AIGC era.