Key Takeaways
- PTCL has partnered with ConnectHear to install SILA, an AI-powered sign language agent.
- The initiative aims to make customer services more accessible to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
- This partnership builds on previous collaborations between the two companies.
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has announced a significant step towards enhancing accessibility for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community by partnering with ConnectHear, a leading accessibility technology company. The partnership involves the installation of SILA, an AI-powered sign language agent, across PTCL’s customer care centers in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
Chief Marketing Officer of PTCL, Amad Khan, emphasized the company’s commitment to inclusivity, stating, “Our partnership with ConnectHear has evolved meaningfully over the years, from sensitizing and training our customer-facing teams to leveraging technology to address some of the most important accessibility barriers faced by the Deaf community.”
Azima Dhanjee, CEO and Co-founder of ConnectHear, echoed the sentiment, adding, “Our partnership with PTCL shows what is possible when organizations opt for sustained technology-driven action. With ConnectHear’s AI-powered sign language agent, we are taking another important step by bringing sign language accessibility directly into the customer service environment.”
This initiative is part of a broader effort by PTCL and ConnectHear to integrate technology into everyday services, ensuring that accessibility is not an afterthought but a fundamental aspect of their operations. The partnership has already delivered impactful solutions, such as SUNO, an AI-powered early warning system that provided critical emergency alerts in Pakistani Sign Language through WhatsApp.
The SUNO system has been instrumental in safeguarding the Deaf community during natural and man-made disasters, highlighting the importance of technology in bridging communication gaps. Both companies believe that technology is a powerful tool for equitable growth and development, and this partnership is a testament to their shared vision.
The installation of SILA is expected to significantly improve the customer experience for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, allowing them to communicate their queries and requirements directly with customer service representatives without the need for human interpreters.
This move by PTCL underscores its commitment to creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for all customers. By integrating advanced technology, PTCL is working towards ensuring that every customer can engage with the company with greater dignity and independence.
The partnership between PTCL and ConnectHear is a positive step towards making Pakistan a more inclusive society, where technology plays a crucial role in bridging communication barriers.
Our partnership with ConnectHear has evolved meaningfully over the years, from sensitizing and training our customer-facing teams to leveraging technology to address some of the most important accessibility barriers faced by the Deaf community.
Amad Khan, Chief Marketing Officer, PTCL
Our partnership with PTCL shows what is possible when organizations opt for sustained technology-driven action. With ConnectHear’s AI-powered sign language agent, we are taking another important step by bringing sign language accessibility directly into the customer service environment.
Azima Dhanjee, CEO and Co-founder, ConnectHear
