It’s a sign

Saud al Ansari

Artificial intelligence's potential to enhance and expand the use of sign language is opening new horizons for millions of deaf and hard-to-hearing people around the world.

Hamad al Abri, an Arabic language teacher at Al Amal School for the Deaf, believes that AI cannot fully replace human sign language interpreters. “The Arabic language is rich in non-verbal expressions and heavily dependent on context, which AI has not yet mastered.”

Still, Al Abri acknowledges that AI can play a supportive role by offering visual representations and image-based tools that enhance sign language communication.

He points out that one of the main challenges is the depth of linguistic meaning in both Arabic and sign language, which makes accurate translation difficult. The limited availability of AI datasets in Arabic sign language and the writing challenges faced by some deaf individuals also hinder content creation using AI tools. “Facial expressions are a crucial part of sign language,” he adds, “and that’s something AI has yet to replicate convincingly.”

He further points out that sign language is not universal. It varies from one country to another, with each nation developing its own sign language dictionary. Even among Arab countries, the signs and expressions differ noticeably. Yet, he finds it fascinating that despite these variations, deaf individuals can still understand one another with surprising ease, demonstrating the shared human instinct for connection and communication beyond words.

Al Abri says he is trying to employ AI in designing educational content for deaf students.

Majid al Harthy, founder of the “Unlimited Sign initiative", says the real obstacle lies in the unique structure of sign language itself. “Sign language is built on brevity and clarity. Deaf individuals often begin their sentences with the main idea rather than following grammatical rules.”

Al Harthy also notes that deaf people process written text differently from hearing individuals. “When they read, they don’t sound out letters; they perceive entire words as visual images.”

Mohammed al Araimi, a member of the deaf community, affirmed that one of the main challenges faced by people with hearing disabilities is the lack of public awareness of sign language, which makes daily communication difficult in various situations.

Al Araimi explains that this issue becomes particularly evident in service institutions. “When I visit a hospital, the doctor cannot understand the nature of my illness, and in turn, I don't understand the prescribed treatment. The same happens in markets, where sellers often do not understand sign language."

He noted that in the past, the deaf community faced significant educational difficulties due to outdated curricula that did not meet their needs. However, the situation has improved with the introduction of a modern curriculum designed specifically for deaf students.

Al Araimi emphasises that the integration of advanced technologies and AI in education could further improve the quality of learning materials, making them more interactive and accessible for the deaf.

He also praised the efforts of qualified teachers who possess the skills necessary to effectively teach deaf students, noting that their work plays a vital role in empowering this group and supporting their inclusion in society.

Al Araimi stressed the importance of promoting sign language awareness among the general public, adding that empowering the deaf community goes beyond improving curriculum; it starts with fostering a culture of inclusive communication and recognising sign language as a fundamental means of human interaction.