Published November 05, 2026
How an NYU Abu Dhabi Alum Is Redefining Accessibility with AI
When Zhifei (Maggie) Li graduated from NYU Abu Dhabi with a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics, she left campus with more than a diploma—she was the CEO of a breakthrough tech venture. As an undergraduate, Maggie cofounded ChatSign Technology, an AI start-up built directly on research developed at NYU Abu Dhabi. Today, she’s bringing real-time, bidirectional sign language translation into everyday life.
ChatSign’s system translates spoken Arabic and English into both American Sign Language (ASL) and Emirati Sign Language (ESL) instantly. Built for environments like hospitals, schools, transit hubs, tourist attractions, and government desks, ChatSign helps fill a critical gap: those times when human interpreters aren’t available. “There are more than 430 million deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the world,” says Maggie. “We need this technology to exist to include around 4 to 5 percent of our community.”
It All Began at NYU Abu Dhabi
The ChatSign journey began in NYU Abu Dhabi’s Embodied AI and Robotics Lab. There, Maggie partnered with Yi Fang, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, who developed the core research as the founder and scientific adviser. Together with Zhenhua Li, chief product officer and an NYU senior research engineer, the cofounders set out to turn their research into reality.
ChatSign’s growth highlights what makes studying at NYU Abu Dhabi unique: Students don’t have to wait until after graduation to build real, impactful solutions. “ChatSign represents an important milestone for NYU Abu Dhabi as a new commercial AI technology spin-out company,” says Interim Vice Chancellor Fabio Piano. “It reflects the University’s broader mission to translate research and discovery into ventures that address real societal needs. It is also an example of how NYU Abu Dhabi seeks to integrate research, entrepreneurship, and education in service of a more connected and innovative society.”
Getting Ready for Real-World Impact
Before taking their platform worldwide, the team proved its impact right at home. After successfully delivering live translation for 200 students at a campus accessibility event, ChatSign provided live speech-to-sign translation at NYU Abu Dhabi’s 2026 Commencement. From there, momentum built quickly, with ChatSign showcasing its platform at major events like the Dubai AI Festival and AccessAbilities Expo Dubai. Additionally, it reached the semifinals of the global Expand North Star start-up competition.
“Building ChatSign has meant moving quickly from idea to implementation,” says Maggie. “We’ve focused on designing a system that works in real-world settings, where speed, clarity, and ease of use is essential, while continuing to learn from users and improve the technology.”
An Unlimited Future
Maggie’s swift transition from undergraduate to tech CEO highlights the unique entrepreneurial community and resources available at NYU Abu Dhabi. By combining rigorous academic research with practical start-up support, the University gives students the tools to turn big ideas into global ventures. “NYU Abu Dhabi provides the most perfect environment to support the commercialization from the research,” affirms Fang.
As ChatSign prepares to roll out pilot programs across the UAE and around the globe, Maggie remains focused on creating lasting, real-world impact. She shares, “Our vision is to see ChatSign devices deployed wherever communication is needed around the world within the next 10 years, making society as accessible to the deaf and hard-of-hearing as it is to the hearing.”
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