ConnectHear, a social enterprise working towards the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the country using technology, in collaboration with Ufone 4G (cellular arm of PTCL Group), launched the world’s first AI-powered early warning system, ‘SUNO’, to provide 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 the GSMA Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation Fund, fills a critical gap in emergency communications, ensuring that deaf people receive timely alerts during natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes.
Through the system, video alerts in sign language are instantly delivered via Ufone’s WhatsApp bot, reaching at-risk people across Pakistan for free. ConnectHear creates the sign language content using cutting-edge AI-based technology, while Ufone provides a robust nationwide distribution infrastructure.
Speaking at the launch event, Hatem Bamatraf, Chairman of PTCL and CEO of Ufone 4G Group, said: “Our collaboration with ConnectHear reflects our belief that true digital inclusion leaves no one behind. Through our partner ConnectHear, we use technology with purpose to create an impact that really matters.
Azima Dhanjee, Co-Founder and CEO, ConnectHear, said, “In an emergency, communication is not only important, it is a matter of life and death. For too long, deaf people, including my parents, have been cut off from emergency alerts and must rely on others when disaster strikes. With this project, we are finally changing that.
