ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is looking to artificial intelligence to improve how deaf and hard-of-hearing people access information. The move is part of a broader effort to make digital services more inclusive.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja chaired a high-level meeting to explore AI-based sign language tools. The aim is to close communication gaps and bring assistive tech to the mainstream.
The meeting included officials from the Ministry of IT, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, tech incubator Ignite, and two startups. Both startups showed AI tools that can provide real-time sign language interpretation and public alert systems.
The session was held under an IT subcommittee of the National Policy Board. The group is working on steps to implement the Access to Media (Deaf) Persons Act, passed in 2022.
One key proposal was to test AI-based sign language translation during one of Pakistan Television’s (PTV) daily news bulletins. Officials see it as a first step toward using assistive tech in public broadcasting.
Ignite supported a phased rollout of the pilot, saying it would help build public trust and track results. ConnectHear and DeafTawk will work with the IT Ministry to develop a proof of concept.
Officials also discussed plans for a National Innovation Challenge. The goal is to attract more tech solutions through Ignite’s network of incubators.
Minister Khawaja praised the startups’ work and said the government will back tools that support digital inclusion. She also called for a “super app” that combines AI and voice commands to help people with disabilities.
The meeting ended with agreement on closer cooperation between ministries and support for scalable, inclusive technologies.
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