ISLAMABAD: In a major step towards inclusive disaster preparedness, an artificial intelligence-driven sign language alert system has been launched to ensure that nearly 1.5 million population with disabling hearing loss receive timely and life-saving emergency information during natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
The initiative aims to bridge critical communication gaps that leave persons with hearing impairments particularly vulnerable during emergencies such as floods, earthquakes, and extreme weather events. Experts say accessible early warning systems are essential to reducing risks and saving lives, especially in a country frequently affected by climate-related disasters.
The national deployment of Sign Language AI was unveiled at a high-level event in Islamabad, bringing together stakeholders from government, telecom, humanitarian organisations, and international partners to promote inclusive communication and disaster resilience.
The system, developed under an Early Warning AI initiative known as “SUNO,” delivers emergency alerts in sign language, ensuring that deaf communities can access crucial information even in low-bandwidth environments.
During its pilot phase, the initiative reached nearly 2,000 beneficiaries across more than 10 disaster-affected districts in Sindh, providing accessible alerts to vulnerable populations. With its integration into a virtual interpretation application, the technology is expected to extend its reach to more than 50,000 users, significantly enhancing access to inclusive early warning and disaster communication across the country.
According to available data, over 1.35 million people in Pakistan live with disabling hearing loss, while more than 27 million have been displaced by disasters since 2008, underscoring the urgent need for accessible and inclusive communication systems.
In a message shared at the event, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said the initiative demonstrated how inclusive and locally led AI-driven solutions could strengthen disaster preparedness and ensure equal access to life-saving information for persons with disabilities. She added that the United Kingdom was proud to support innovations that leave no one behind. Kimberly Brown, Head of Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation at GSMA, highlighted the global significance of the initiative, stating that scalable AI-powered sign language broadcasts could ensure deaf communities receive timely alerts during emergencies and set a benchmark for accessibility worldwide. Officials from the telecommunications sector emphasised that technology must go beyond connectivity to enable access and inclusion for underserved segments, noting that digital innovation can play a transformative role in ensuring equitable dissemination of critical information.
The event also featured a live demonstration of AI-powered sign language broadcast technology and highlighted its potential integration into national broadcasting systems, disaster response frameworks, and public communication channels. The initiative was spearheaded by ConnectHear, with support from GSMA and Ufone, and builds on partnerships with humanitarian and disability-focused organisations, including HANDS and DeafReach, to expand accessible communication for Pakistan’s deaf community.
