ConnectHear, a leading assistive technology startup in South Asia, hosted the “National Deployment of Sign Language AI for Public Broadcast” in partnership with GSMA and Ufone at the Islamabad Serena Hotel. The event focused on fostering accessible communication for the Deaf community and marked the launch of SUNO, an initiative aimed at providing early warning information in sign language, which previously benefited nearly 2,000 individuals in Sindh. With the new ConnectHear app integration, SUNO aims to reach over 50,000 users.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott emphasised the importance of inclusive technology in disaster preparedness, while Kimberly Brown of GSMA highlighted the initiative’s potential for scalable impact. Ufone’s Syed Atif Raza noted the need for accessibility in technology for underserved communities.

Co-founder Arhum Ishtiaq stated their goal of making both digital and physical spaces accessible for Deaf individuals. The event included demonstrations of AI-powered sign language technology and discussions on integrating these solutions into national communication systems.