Karachi: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has announced its partnership with ConnectHear, a Pakistani accessibility technology company, to deploy SILA, an AI-powered sign language agent, across its customer care centers in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. This initiative aims to enhance the accessibility of PTCL’s services for customers with diverse abilities.

According to Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited, this collaboration is part of PTCL's ongoing commitment to providing a more inclusive customer experience. SILA enables Deaf customers to communicate in sign language directly with customer service representatives, eliminating the need for human interpreters. The initiative builds on ConnectHear's previous work with PTCL to improve accessibility for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.

Amad Khan, Chief Marketing Officer at PTCL, commented on the partnership, emphasizing the importance of using technology to overcome accessibility barriers. He stated that connectivity should enable participation for all and that the use of cutting-edge technologies is vital for ensuring dignified and independent customer engagement.

Azima Dhanjee, CEO and Co-founder of ConnectHear, highlighted the significance of the partnership, noting that it showcases the potential of technology-driven action in enhancing accessibility. The deployment of SILA is seen as an important step in integrating sign language accessibility into customer service environments, contributing to a more accessible Pakistan.

The collaboration has previously resulted in impactful solutions such as SUNO, an AI-powered early warning system that provides emergency alerts in Pakistani Sign Language. Both PTCL and ConnectHear believe in technology as a powerful tool for promoting equitable growth and development.