NEW YORK, USA — Creative agency Hello Monday/DEPT announced a collaboration with NVIDIA and the American Society for Deaf Children to launch Signs, an AI-powered web tool designed to bridge communication gaps between Deaf and hearing communities.
At its core, Signs is more than just an ASL learning platform; it’s a living, crowd-sourced database that invites both beginners and experienced signers to contribute and expand a growing repository of ASL video content. By merging AI, real-time feedback, and interactive 3D avatars, the platform creates an engaging, immersive way to learn and share ASL, fostering deeper connections between the Deaf and hearing communities.
According to the World Health Organization, over 466 million people worldwide experiencing disabling hearing loss – a number expected to double by 2050, the demand for inclusive and accessible communication tools has never been greater. In the U.S. alone, approximately 11 million individuals are Deaf or have significant hearing difficulties, highlighting the urgency of breaking down language barriers and increasing ASL proficiency.
“We’ve long been committed to using technology for social good, and Signs is a continuation of that mission,” said Anders Jessen, Founding Partner, Hello Monday/DEPT. “We are honored to partner with NVIDIA and the American Society for Deaf Children on this initiative and believe that improving ASL accessibility is an ongoing effort that deserves attention and innovation.”
“AI is driving applications that will benefit all communities,” said Michael R. Boone, Manager, Trustworthy AI Product, NVIDIA. “With the Signs platform, we aim to accelerate research in areas like sign language recognition, language acquisition, and assistive technologies, helping benefit the entire Deaf community.”
Inspired by the success of fingerspelling.xyz – an AI-powered ASL alphabet learning tool, Signs expands on this foundation, offering a comprehensive ASL learning experience beyond the alphabet. Users can access the platform via mobile, tablet, or desktop, whether they’re just starting their ASL journey or contributing their expertise to enrich the learning experience for others.
For more information on Signs and to start learning or contributing, visit signs-ai.com.
