Sign Language to Text (SL2T) (deepmind.google)

Google has launched Sign Language to Text (SL2T) technology, enabling American Sign Language (ASL) input on mobile devices through Gboard and Live Transcribe, with initial availability on Pixel 11. This innovative project has been developed in collaboration with the Deaf community, ensuring that their perspectives shape its development from conceptualization to user testing. A newly established AI Sign Language Advisory Committee (AISLAC) has been instrumental in guiding the ethical deployment of this technology by incorporating insights from global Deaf organizations. The significance of SL2T lies in its contribution to making digital communication more inclusive for the Deaf community, facilitating better interaction with technology by bridging language barriers. This initiative builds on years of research and aims to expand beyond ASL into other sign languages and advanced sign language generation. As Google strives for universal accessibility, SL2T represents a crucial step towards integrating sign languages into mainstream digital platforms, promoting parity with spoken and written languages and enhancing communication for millions of Deaf individuals worldwide.