We thank the author for their letter titled Bridging language gaps in critical care: Synergizing large language models and professional interpreters for equitable, patient-centred communication,1 published in response to a Current Insights editorial emphasising the importance of professional interpreters to overcome language barriers in critical care.2 Yu suggests integrating large language models (LLMs) as an additional strategy to overcome language barriers in critical care.1 Human interaction remains central to communication and care in critical care.3 Yet the reality is that access to professional interpreters, who speak the right language and dialect, at the right time, to ensure timely care, can be difficult. Thus, we agree in-principle that any strategies that can help overcome language barriers, protect patient autonomy minimise health inequity are worthy of consideration. However, recently published research4 shows that other first-line strategies used with critically ill patients, such as using gestures, language cards, and computer translation applications, as well as relying on family members or hospital staff to interpret, have received mixed reviews and contributed to feelings of vulnerability and threatened autonomy. It has also been shown that LLMs are at varying stages of maturity,4 and therefore, there will be a lead in time for this technology to be completely and confidently accepted and embedded into clinical practice.