New Google AI tool translates sign language into text, currently in testing phase with launch by year-end
Sign language is essential for many people who have speech impairment. They use it to communicate with people around them but among the regular not many understand it. Now, AI is going to help here as well. Google is working on a AI model called SignGemma that will translate sign language into text. The company says this is its most capable artificial intelligence model to date, designed to translate sign language into spoken text. This new AI model is currently in its testing phase, and is slated for public launch by the end of the year.advertisementGoogle first unveiled SignGemma during the keynote at Google I/O, where Gemma Product Manager Gus Martins described it as the company's 'most capable sign language understanding model ever.' Martins noted that, unlike previous attempts at sign language translation, SignGemma stands out for its open model approach and its focus on delivering accurate, real-time translations to users. While the tool is trained to handle various sign languages, Google says the model currently performs best with American Sign Language (ASL) and English.'We're thrilled to announce SignGemma, our groundbreaking open model for sign language understanding, set for release later this year,' Martins said. 'It's the most capable sign language understanding model ever, and we can't wait for developers and Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities to take this foundation and build with it.'
Google highlighted that with this tool, the company aims to bridge communication gaps for millions of Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals worldwide.advertisementMeanwhile, to ensure the tool is both effective and respectful of its user base, Google is taking a collaborative approach to its development. The company has extended an open invitation to developers, researchers, and members of the global Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities to participate in early testing and provide feedback."We're thrilled to announce SignGemma, our groundbreaking open model for sign language understanding," reads the official post from DeepMind on X. "Your unique experiences, insights, and needs are crucial as we prepare for launch and beyond, to make SignGemma as useful and impactful as possible."The introduction of SignGemma comes at a time when Google is heavily focused on expanding its AI portfolio. At Google I/O 2025, accessibility took centre stage with the announcement of several new AI-powered features designed to make technology more inclusive for everyone. One of the highlights was the expansion of Gemini AI's integration with Android's TalkBack, which will now provide users AI-generated descriptions for images and allow them to ask follow-up questions about what's on their screen. Google has also introduced updates to Chrome, including automatic Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for scanned PDFs, enabling screen reader users to access, search, and interact with text in documents that were previously inaccessible. For students, on Chromebooks a new accessibility tool called Face Control allows users to control their device with facial gestures and head movements.
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