The AdaptisCon#2 conference presented the dictionary of Russian sign language (RSI) based on a computer translator, as well as other solutions aimed at creating an accessible environment for people with hearing impairments at the Boiling Point site of NSTU NET with the support of the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications, as well as the Ministry of Labor and Social Development of Novosibirsk Oblast. Innovative company Adaptis, (formerly Surdophone) is a resident of the SKOLKOVO Foundation managed by the Lomonosov Capital Management Company, an asset of RATM Holding. The conference brought together RSL translators, representatives of partner companies, the All-Russian Society of the Deaf, experts, and NSTU NETI students, as well as those for whom the services of Adaptis are intended.
The topics of lectures and seminars held within the framework of the conference were devoted to the linguistics of RSL as the basis of modern machine translation technologies. The workshop "The use of a sign language dictionary" was organized to immerse in the work of the team and demonstrate the use of theoretical knowledge in practice.
Marina Khairullina, NSTU NETI Vice-rector for Innovation and Development noted the significance of the Adaptis projects. She said that the cooperation with the company encourages specialists, including young ones, to search for relevant answers to the problems and challenges facing our society.
The idea of online sounding speech translation into RSL originated more than 20 years ago at the Department of Automated Control Systems, NSTU NETI, the testing took place at the Institute of Social Technologies and Rehabilitation, NSTU. The funds of the investor, RATM Holding, made it possible to release the first domestic program of RSL computer translation. According to Maxim Nechai, Director of Adaptis LLC, the project is currently being upgraded: the product is based on a program code created on the basis of a unique algorithm for semantic analysis of text and conversion of a sounding language into a sign language.
In addition, back in 2016, specialists presented the first Russian remote RSL translation software for emergency services: the center with the installed software was opened at the Institute of Social Technologies. This center's services are used by thousands of subscribers in Russia and CIS countries.
The guests attending the opening of the conference highly appreciated the work of Adaptis.
According to Vladimir Mashanov, First Deputy of the Minister of Labor and Social Development of the Novosibirsk Oblast, today one of the key trends for the social sphere is its digital transformation: artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies allow creating services that make up for the lack of opportunities for citizens with health restrictions.
Irina Savelyeva, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Communications of Novosibirsk Oblast, also said that the introduction of such services should be a priority, confirming that the officials are ready to assist in the promotion of the service.
Viktor Tolokonsky, Vice-President of RATM Holding, who previously held the positions of Governor of Novosibirsk Oblast, and then Presidential Envoy at the Siberian Federal District, called the work of Adaptis a vivid example of social entrepreneurship.
Although the concept of "social entrepreneurship" was legislated only in 2019, it accurately reflects the essence of the company's activities at all stages: to develop and offer services to achieve socially important goals and overcome specific social problems, providing translation service to people with hearing disabilities.
“Adaptis finds optimal ways to improve the living environment of socially vulnerable categories of citizens, using the knowledge, the research potential of NSTU NETI, experience, and the best technologies”, - said Eduard Taran, the president of RATM Holding, a graduate of NSTU. “At the same time, the Adaptis projects correspond to the state policy in the social sphere: when the developers of a private company think outside the box and act in the interests of society and business changing the world for the better”.