AI Sign Language Translation Tools Critiqued as Ableist and Productivist

A new paper on arXiv (2604.28125) critiques AI sign language translation tools through a degrowth lens, arguing they perpetuate ableist and productivist norms. The analysis draws on Jacques Ellul's concepts of the Technological System and Technological Bluff to show how these systems standardize language without input from deaf communities, relying on biased data. The authors contend that hearing designers remain ignorant of the culture, semantics, and colloquial nature of sign languages, leading to tools that fail to provide accessible communication. The paper calls for a rethinking of AI development in this domain.