Egypt University of Informatics (EUI) has unveiled a cutting-edge software solution designed to bridge the communication gap for the deaf and hard of hearing. The real-time sign language translation program, named SLI (Sign Language Interpreter), leverages artificial intelligence and deep learning to convert sign language gestures into written text—offering a vital tool for millions facing daily communication challenges.
The software is the brainchild of a four-student team from the Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences at EUI. It will support individuals who rely on sign language often struggle to interact with public services, workplaces, and broader society due to limited interpreter availability and inadequate digital tools.
“The project reflects our commitment to innovation with real-world social impact,” said Dr. Hoda Mokhtar, Dean of the Faculty. “We’re proud to support students in applying their academic knowledge to develop solutions that serve marginalized communities and promote societal equity.”
Harnessing AI for Real-Time Translation
The SLI program operates in real time, thanks to a deep learning model that processes sign gestures using a neural network trained on a database of over 2,200 images. These images have been optimized through normalization and dimensionality reduction techniques, allowing the system to recognize the full English alphabet and a growing lexicon of commonly used words with a remarkable accuracy rate of 93.33%.
“This is only the beginning,” said Noor Hani, a third-year student and member of the development team. “We’re working to expand the system’s vocabulary and integrate support for Arabic sign language in future versions.”
Beyond Innovation: Infrastructure and Support
Crucial to the project’s success was access to state-of-the-art computing labs at EUI, equipped with high-performance GPUs and the latest AI development tools. The university’s infrastructure, designed to foster research in emerging technologies, played a pivotal role in the rapid prototyping and testing of the translation engine.
The students were also mentored by faculty members with expertise in machine learning and human-computer interaction, reinforcing EUI’s educational philosophy: bridging theory with practice.
“This project exemplifies how technology can uplift marginalized groups,” said Dr. Mokhtar. “It’s a model for socially conscious innovation, aligning with Egypt’s broader vision for digital transformation and inclusive development.”
A Digital Solution for a Human Challenge
The lack of interpreters and technological tools has long impeded their access to healthcare, education, and public services.
With the introduction of the SLI translator, the hope is to break down these barriers, enabling two-way communication between deaf users and those unfamiliar with sign language—whether in a hospital, government office, school, or marketplace.
