New York University Abu Dhabi has launched ChatSign, a new artificial intelligence-powered platform designed to improve communication for people with hearing impairments. The technology provides real-time translation from spoken language into sign language, helping bridge the communication gap between Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and hearing communities.
ChatSign was developed at NYU Abu Dhabi by Yi Fang, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Director of the Embodied AI & Robotics Lab. The startup was co-founded with CEO Zhifei Maggie Li and Chief Product Officer Zhenhua Li.
The AI system currently translates spoken Arabic and English into sign language in real time. It supports both American Sign Language and Emirati Sign Language, making communication easier in public and private environments. The company is also working on advanced features including sign-to-speech and text-to-sign translation technology.
According to NYU Abu Dhabi Interim Vice Chancellor Fabio Piano, ChatSign reflects the university’s goal of turning research and innovation into real-world solutions that benefit society.
The platform is designed for use across several sectors, including government offices, healthcare, education, tourism, transport hubs, and commercial spaces. It aims to solve the long-standing challenge of limited access to sign language interpreters, which can often be expensive and unavailable when needed.
Founder Yi Fang said the company’s vision is to make sign language accessibility as common and easy as smartphone communication. He added that the technology is built to support inclusive communication on a large scale.
Since its launch as a research project in 2024, ChatSign has quickly developed into a working commercial prototype. The technology is protected by patents and was successfully tested during a live campus deployment in late 2025, where it delivered real-time sign language translation to more than 200 students during an accessibility-focused event.
The AI platform will also be used during NYU Abu Dhabi’s 2026 Commencement Ceremony to provide live speech-to-sign translation for attendees.
ChatSign has already been showcased at several major events, including Make it in the Emirates, Dubai AI Week, and AccessAbilities Expo. The startup also reached the semi-finals of the GITEX Expand North Star competition.
Co-founder Maggie Li said the team focused on building a fast, simple, and practical system that can work effectively in real-world situations. She added that the company hopes to deploy ChatSign devices globally within the next 10 years to make communication more accessible for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities.
The company is currently working with partners on data collection, technology validation, and pilot projects across different sectors. ChatSign plans to expand its deployments across the UAE before scaling internationally in the coming years.
