ConnectHear, a social enterprise working for disability inclusion in the country using technology, together with Ufone 4G (cellular arm of the PTCL Group) has launched the world’s first AI-powered Early Warning System ‘SUNO’ to deliver life-saving alerts in sign language for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community during emergencies and natural disasters.
The platform, supported and funded by GSMA Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation Fund, plugs a critical gap in emergency communication, ensuring that deaf individuals receive timely alerts during natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes.
Through the system, sign language video alerts are instantly broadcast via Ufone’s WhatsApp bot, reaching at-risk individuals across Pakistan free of cost. ConnectHear creates the sign language content using state-of-the-art AI-powered technology, while Ufone provides the robust nationwide distribution infrastructure.
Speaking at the launch event, PTCL President and Ufone 4G Group CEO, Hatem Bamatraf, said, “Our collaboration with ConnectHear reflects our belief that true digital inclusion leaves no one behind. Through our partner ConnectHear, we are using technology with purpose to create impact that truly matters.”
ConnectHear Co-founder and CEO Azima Dhanjee, said, “In an emergency, communication isn’t just important, it’s a matter of life and death. For far too long, deaf individuals which also includes my parents have been cut off from urgent alerts, and they must rely on others during a disaster. With this project, we’re finally changing that.
