On 6–7 February 2025, the European Union of the Deaf (EUD) actively participated in the AI and Interpretation Conference hosted by the Directorate-General for Interpretation of the European Commission at the Charlemagne Conference Centre in Brussels. Representing EUD, Executive Director Frankie Picron and Policy Manager Alexandre Bloxs engaged with key stakeholders from EU institutions, academia, and the technology sector to advocate for the linguistic human rights of deaf people.
During the conference, EUD raised concerns regarding the unequal treatment of spoken and sign languages in discussions on AI integration. While AI was widely presented as a supportive tool for spoken language interpreters, there was a notable push to replace sign language interpreters with AI-driven solutions under the guise of cost-saving measures.
EUD emphasised that:
- AI lacks the linguistic depth and cultural nuance required for high-quality national sign language interpretation.
- AI-generated sign language solutions, while promising, currently pose significant risks of inaccuracy, potentially compromising the right of deaf people to access vital information.
- The same caution applied to AI’s role in spoken language interpretation should extend to sign language to ensure accessibility is not undermined in pursuit of cost efficiency.
EUD will continue working closely with EU institutions, AI researchers, and policy-makers to ensure that AI policies protect and promote national sign language accessibility. Future research collaborations will be pursued to monitor developments in AI and its potential impact on national sign language interpretation.
By maintaining a strong presence in discussions on AI and accessibility, EUD remains committed to ensuring that AI serves as a tool for inclusion rather than a justification for reducing sign language interpretation services.
