Google DeepMind unveils SL2T sign-language-to-text model, debuts on Pixel 11
Google DeepMind introduced SL2T, a massively multilingual sign-language-to-text translation model, and is bringing it to consumer products for the first time. The model powers sign-to-text dictation in Gboard and Live Transcribe on Pixel 11, initially supporting American Sign Language (ASL) to English, with more devices and languages planned.
Coverage timeline
Google DeepMind Blog
August 12, 2026 Models Google DeepMind Sign Language Team Introducing sign-language-to-text (SL2T), our breakthrough model powering new sign language features for Deaf and hard of hearing users. AI's ability to process spoken languages has advanced rapidly over recent decades, enabling automatic translation, dictation, and conversational interfaces that feel effortless to hearing users. Yet this technological revolution has not reached the world’s more than 200 sign languages — and the estimated 70 million Deaf and hard of hearing people who use them. Today, we’re introducing a massively multilingual sign-language-to-text (SL2T) translation model that marks a breakthrough in quality and generality. With it, we are bringing sign language AI out of the lab and into consumer products for the first time: SL2T powers sign-to-text dictation in Gboard and Live Transcribe on Pixel 11, starting with American Sign Language (ASL) to English. More devices are coming soon, and additional languages
Techmeme
Mike Wheatley / SiliconANGLE : Google DeepMind launches SL2T, a multilingual sign-language-to-text model debuting on the Pixel 11 in Gboard and Live Transcribe, first with ASL and English — Google DeepMind said today it wants to bring the artificial intelligence revolution to the estimated 70 million people across …
