• AI-Mimi delivers real‑time subtitles for Deaf/Hard‑of‑Hearing viewers in Japan. • Uses Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services combined with human input for live TV. • Addresses high cost and staffing barriers faced by over 100 local Japanese stations. • Japan has 360k Deaf/Hard‑of‑Hearing, 14.2m hearing‑disabled, 30% over 65. • Subtitles also popular among non‑Hearing‑Loss audiences, boosting accessibility. • Pilot started 2018, now scaling to improve local news coverage.
Article Summaries:
- AI‑Mimi, a hybrid subtitle system developed by SI‑com and ISCEC Japan, aims to make live TV accessible for Japan’s 360,000 Deaf and Hard‑of‑Hearing viewers. By combining human input with Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services, the tool delivers larger, multi‑line subtitles on the right side of the screen without costly equipment. Since 2018, SI‑com has piloted the technology with local stations, and a December 2021 live demo in Nagasaki received strong praise from the Deaf community and broadcasters alike. The solution promises broader, cost‑effective subtitle coverage for local TV, addressing a nationwide accessibility gap.
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