Baidu Launches Digital Platform for AI Sign Language

Baidu AI Cloud launched a sign language platform on Thursday, able to generate digital avatars for sign language translation and live interpretation within minutes. Released as a new offering of Baidu AI Cloud's digital avatar platform XiLing, this new product aims to help break down communication barriers for the deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) community by boosting the accessibility of automated sign language translation. An AI sign language interpreter developed using the platform will perform its duties during the upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympic Games. Also released with the platform on Thursday were two all-in-one AI sign language translators, providing one-stop solutions with a streamlined set-up process and plug-and-use features. With the technological changes brought by AI, production and operational costs of digital avatars have been reduced to a significant degree, making it possible for AI sign language to scale up and serve more DHH individuals, said Tian Wu, Baidu Corporate Vice President.