More than 70 million people in the world communicate using sign languages, but there is less than one interpreter for every 10,000 deaf people.
This disproportion reflects that millions of people face invisible barriers to accessing information, basic services and spaces for full participation.
In hospitals, schools, banks or transport stations, the absence of interpreters and the lack of adaptation of environments causes isolation, frustration and a deep feeling of exclusion.
Although there are advances in subtitling or lip reading, these options are not sufficient or inclusive for the entire deaf community. Artificial intelligence (AI) is opening new doors of accessible communication.
An example is Silence Speaks, a startup that has developed a tool capable of translating text in real time into sign language using animated avatars.
What is Silence Speaks and how does it work?
Silence Speaks is a British startup that was born just over three years ago with a clear mission: to reduce the communication barriers faced by deaf people.
Its founder, Pavan Madduru, was inspired by seeing the difficulties faced by a deaf friend of his during a trip. It was then that he decided to create a tool based on artificial intelligence (AI) that could serve as a sign language interpreter.
The technology they developed translates written text into sign language using animated avatars. These avatars, generated by AI, perform the necessary movements to communicate messages in sign language in a precise and understandable way.
The highlight of this tool is that it was developed by and for deaf people. The team included deaf engineers and worked with real data sets covering regional dialects, signing speed and emotional expressions, allowing the translation to be much more natural and closer to human communication.
Today, the system works through the cloud, that is, it needs an internet connection to process the text. However, the company is already working on a version that works in real time from mobile devices, which would take accessibility to another level.
Practical applications of this technology
Although Silence Speaks technology is still in development, it has already begun to transform the lives of many deaf people in different everyday contexts.
One of the most important advances has been its implementation in the London Underground. Thanks to a collaboration with Transport for London, some stations now have QR codes that users can scan with their phones.
By doing so, they access sign language videos that explain important announcements, routes and service changes. This solution facilitates access to information in an environment that was previously very difficult for people with hearing disabilities.
Another interesting application is in the world of greeting cards. Some companies already include animated sign language messages that play when you scan a QR code.
In addition, in schools, this technology can serve as an extra resource for deaf children who do not always have interpreters in class. And in the workplace, it allows us to create more inclusive environments by facilitating communication in meetings or training.
Personalization and inclusion: the human touch of AI
One of the most valuable features of Silence Speaks technology is its focus on personalization and authenticity. It is not just about translating words, but about communicating emotions, expressions and essential cultural nuances in sign language.
Users can create personalized avatars, choosing from physical features to clothing styles, so that messages are conveyed with a close and familiar visual identity.
Collaborations with well-known figures from entertainment or popular culture are even being explored, making signed messages even more attractive, especially for children and young people.
But the real value is in precision. The AI has been trained to capture not only hand movements, but also facial and body expressions, fundamental in sign language.
To achieve this, Silence Speaks has worked hand in hand with deaf people and experts in sign language since the beginning of the project.
What comes next?: The future of accessible communication
The next big goal is to achieve real-time translations, not only from text to signs, but also from voice to signs and vice versa, allowing more fluid conversations between deaf and hearing people, without the need for human interpreters.
In addition, we are working on expansion to other regional sign languages, since, like spoken languages, there are many variants in the world. This will allow the technology to be useful to more people, regardless of their country or dialect.
It is also expected to coexist with other solutions, such as automatic subtitles on smart glasses, headphones with artificial intelligence and adapted voice assistants.
Together, these tools can make accessible communication become an everyday occurrence, not an exception.
True inclusion thanks to AI
Inclusion is not just about offering solutions, but about ensuring that all people can participate fully in society, without barriers or exceptions.
Artificial intelligence, when developed with empathy and direct collaboration with the communities it seeks to serve, becomes a powerful ally to achieve that goal.
Tools like Silence Speaks not only translate sign languages, but also open spaces for dialogue, understanding and mutual respect. These advances remind us that the most valuable technology is not the most sophisticated, but rather the one that tangibly changes lives.
If we want a more accessible future, we need to continue designing with and for human diversity. Because when technology listens to those who have been ignored, true inclusion stops being an ideal and becomes a concrete reality.
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