A sign language recognition system powered by artificial intelligence (AI) will offer improved convenience for participants in the upcoming 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games of China.
Developed by Voibook, a tech company based in south China's Guangzhou City, the recognition system has been integrated into a service application of the grand sport event, allowing individuals with hearing impairments to understand real-time commentary, ask for venue directions, and access remote sign language translation services with the touch of a button.
"Our technology provides barrier-free communication support for the participating athletes with hearing impairments. We will continue to optimize and update our algorithms, focusing on enhancing the accuracy and response speed of AI recognition," said Voibook founder Shi Chengchuan.
Shi himself is also hearing-impaired. He and his team have developed a sign language translation phone app, sign language translation devices, voice translation watches, and voice translation captioning systems, which are now being used in various public places such as government service centers, hospitals and schools.
"Technological advancements present a tremendous opportunity for people with disabilities. Take me for instance—after losing my hearing in my childhood, I could never have imagined that one day I would be able to communicate with others with virtually no barriers," said Shi.
AI sign language recognition facilitates communication at Games for Persons with Disabilities
AI sign language recognition facilitates communication at Games for Persons with Disabilities
AI sign language recognition facilitates communication at Games for Persons with Disabilities
The Zambian government has declared the current fuel supply situation an emergency amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
On March 31, Zambian Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa said in a statement that the cabinet had approved zero-rating of value-added tax and the suspension of excise duty on petrol and diesel imports for a period of three months.
Mweetwa, also the government spokesperson, noted that the government is concerned about the continued conflict in the Middle East, which have disrupted global oil supply chains, resulting in rising international fuel prices and upward pressure on domestic pump prices.
Also on March 31, Zambia's energy regulator announced an upward adjustment in fuel pump prices. Under the new pricing structure, petrol has increased by 2.03 percent, while diesel has risen by 28.09 percent.
Zambian residents have already been feeling the impact. Their ability to travel is curtailed and they are forced to wait in long lines for refueling.
"You have to spend some time on looking for fuel. The war should come to an end, and then fuel supply will flow," said Fredrick Nabuzoka, a local resident.
"My business is down. I cannot move regularly like I used to because of the fuel problem," said Fridah Mbiza, another resident.
Analysts warned that the fuel shortage extends beyond the country, which raises fear and worsens an already precarious energy insecurity.
"The energy insecurity is huge. It's not just for Zambia, it's about 75 percent of other African countries. And for Zambia, the price definitely is also going to swing up, just like other countries. And also, there is another fear, apart from just the price going up. The other fear is the availability factor," said Johnstone Chikwanda, a Zambian energy expert.
The ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and Tehran's retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region have triggered a shortage of liquefied petroleum gas globally because of the reduction of sea traffic through the key oil shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz. The closure of the sea route has sent global oil prices soaring.
Zambia declares fuel supply emergency amid Middle East tensions
