Taobao launches AI sign language translation

The company seeks to involve and engage more deaf customers.

Alibaba Group’s consumer-to-consumer retail platform Taobao has launched an AI sign language translation function that activates during livestreaming sessions, said to be the first of its kind in China’s e-commerce industry, the e-commerce giant said in a press release.

A virtual 3D figure translated around 20 online celebrities’ live-streaming sessions in a bid to involve and engage more Deaf customers.

Alibaba noted that China’s over 30 million people who rely heavily on sign language are often excluded from the digital world as most video programs and live-streaming sessions do not provide sign language interpreters.

“We hope to empower the deaf community to enjoy the convenience of e-commerce through the new technology, and wish they could start their businesses via e-commerce or live-streaming platforms,” a spokesman from Taobao Live said in a statement.