AI Avatars Break Barriers for Deaf Community Worldwide

Startup Silence Speaks is using an AI-based technology capable of translating text into sign language to increase accessibility for over 70 million deaf and hard-of-hearing people globally.

"We hope our app will help the deaf and hearing communities communicate better together," says Chloe Smith, Chair of the Board, Silence Speaks.

The shortage of sign language interpreters represents a structural barrier that directly impacts the educational, employment and social inclusion of deaf people. According to the Royal National Institute of Deaf People, 85% of deaf professionals in the United Kingdom have experienced exclusion in their work environments. Despite the legal recognition of British Sign Language (BSL) since 2003, limitations in specialized human resources persist, especially in high-demand contexts such as schools, hospitals, offices, and public transport systems.

Initially, the project attempted to convert sign language to text, but due to the complexity of the more than 200 sign systems in the world, the development was redirected to a text-to-BSL and American Sign Language (ASL) translation model. 

The Silence Speaks system runs in the cloud and requires a few seconds to process the text and generate the signs. However, the company is working on a real-time processing version that could run directly on mobile devices. 

Success Stories

Among the first practical applications is an agreement with Transport for London to integrate visual displays with sign language avatars to provide accessibility at more than 250 stations. In addition, a QR code system will be implemented that will allow users to access updated messages translated into BSL from their phones.

The platform also includes automatic captioning for deaf users who are not proficient in sign language or are learning it. Future integration of a multichannel system that combines real-time text, speech, and sign translation is a medium-term goal. 

According to Wired, Silence Speaks is raising a new round of investment that will accelerate the development of its technology and expand its application to new sectors. The immediate goal is to demonstrate the effectiveness of the system in real conditions, consolidate the technology in public and work environments, and position itself as a viable solution for organizations interested in improving their accessibility policies through AI-based tools.