NVIDIA
Have you ever wanted to learn sign language to communicate with family members, friends, or other people who are deaf? If so, you might want to try a new interactive website that uses AI to train you on American Sign Language (ASL). Known as Signs, the site shows you how to sign and then uses the camera on your PC or mobile device to make sure you're shaping your hand and fingers correctly.
How does Signs work? Assuming you're brand new to ASL, head to the Signs website. After getting past the initial screen, choose the option to Learn ASL and start the tutorial. Make sure your camera is activated and adjusted properly and that you have enough space to sign.
Also: 10 key reasons AI went mainstream overnight - and what happens next
An online 3D avatar then shows you how to sign your first word, namely Hello. With your own face and hand visible on the screen, follow the avatar's gestures to sign the word. The training then moves on to a couple of other words and phrases, including Thank you and Who.
After completing the tutorial, you can choose the level you want to tackle. The higher the level, the more complex the words you'll be asked to sign. If you're a beginner, you might want to start with the first level. If you already know some ASL, you may consider jumping ahead to one of the higher levels.
As the avatar shows you the signs, it also calmly and patiently describes how your hand and fingers should move. Each time you replicate a sign correctly, a ding sounds off to indicate that you're catching on. You're also awarded a certain number of points to keep track of your progress.
You can keep going all the way until you complete level four, thereby providing you with a good foundation. You may also want to repeat the training for each level until you become skilled enough that you no longer need the lessons.
How did Signs get started?
The website is a decidedly team effort. NVIDIA developed the open ASL database in collaboration with the American Society for Deaf Children. New York-based creative studio Hello Monday/DEPT, which designed a similar site called Fingerspelling, built the Signs platform to use AI to help people learn interactively.
... continue reading