Funding or commissioning sign-language AI? A clarity check first.

Sign-language AI is often discussed as a single capability, but in practice, it encompasses very different types of tools, each with distinct levels of maturity, risk, and impact.

Before funding or adopting any solution, it’s important to be clear about:

• What type of system is actually being proposed

• whether it supports one-way translation (e.g. text or speech → signed output) or claims bi-directional translation(signed input ↔ text or speech)

• What remains human-led versus automated

• and what timelines are realistic versus aspirational

  
  

One-way and bi-directional sign-language translation are not equivalent technical challenges. Treating them as the same can lead to unrealistic expectations, delivery risk, and poor accessibility outcomes.

I’ve written a practical overview to help organisations, funders, and decision-makers distinguish between:

• What works today

• What is still research

• and where clear language and Deaf leadership are essential

  
  

Full article here:https://www.timscannell.co.uk/post/what-today-s-sign-language-ai-actually-does

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