AI for Accessibility: How Sorenson Is Advancing Inclusive Communication | Intel
45AI is transforming communication—but for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, the stakes are even higher. In this episode, Mariam Rahmani, Senior Director of AI at Sorenson, shares how her team approaches AI innovation with accessibility at its core. From developing computer vision models for sign language translation to navigating the real-world constraints of ethical deployment, she explains what it takes to build AI that serves people—not just use cases. Mariam discusses how Sorenson prioritizes projects that drive tangible impact, the challenges of measuring success in accessibility, and the unique hurdles AI teams face when designing for underserved communities. She also reflects on her journey through academia, corporate innovation at Intel, and now mission-driven work at Sorenson—and how those experiences have shaped her thinking around scalable, responsible AI. Whether you're building AI products, leading technical teams, or exploring how technology can drive inclusion, this conversation sheds light on the practical and human-centered realities of AI for accessibility.
00:00 Intro
01:15 How Sorenson Chooses Which AI Projects to Prioritize
02:40 Automated Sign Language Translation & Real-World Impact
06:40 Mariam’s Personal Journey Toward Inclusive Technology
08:00 Challenges in Building Accessible AI: Data & Scaling
10:00 Measuring Success in Accessibility-Focused AI
13:55 What Executives Should Know About Deploying AI for Accessibility 15:50 Emerging Trends in Vision & NLP for Accessibility
18:05 Balancing Innovation Speed with Ethical Responsibility
23:30 Why Co-Creation with the Deaf Community Matters
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AI for Accessibility: How Sorenson Is Advancing Inclusive Communication | Intel