Sorenson Welcomes Kaj van de Loo as General Manager of AST

Sorenson has appointed Kaj van de Loo as the new General Manager of Advanced Sign Technology (AST), a move that underscores the company’s commitment to enhancing communication accessibility for Deaf individuals. Van de Loo will report directly to CEO Paget Alves and is set to lead the strategic direction of AST, which utilizes cutting-edge artificial intelligence to improve sign language recognition and generation.

Advanced Sign Technology is an innovative platform that integrates computer vision, machine learning, and natural language processing to facilitate real-time communication between Deaf individuals and hearing communities. By implementing adaptive AI models, AST aims to provide highly accurate and context-aware solutions that bridge significant language barriers.

Expertise and Vision

Kaj van de Loo brings a wealth of experience in product innovation and operational transformation from his previous roles in leading enterprise software organizations. Before joining Sorenson, he operated a consulting practice where he collaborated with enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies to refine product strategies and integrate AI into their operations.

His previous leadership positions include key roles at UserTesting, where he served as Chief Product and Technology Officer. During his tenure, he spearheaded a significant transformation of the company’s product and technology sectors. This included the introduction of a modern product strategy, which enhanced the company’s global product capabilities and emphasized the strategic importance of data.

Van de Loo’s extensive background also features senior roles at SAP and Oracle, where he was recognized for his ability to build high-performing teams and lead impactful product developments.

Strategic Goals at Sorenson

In his new role, van de Loo will be responsible for the overall strategy, product direction, and execution for AST. His leadership is expected to accelerate Sorenson’s investment in AI-driven sign language technologies, further aligning with the company’s mission to provide accessible communication solutions.

“Kaj brings the perfect blend of strategic vision and hands-on innovation to Sorenson,”

said Paget Alves.

“His track record of building transformative technologies will help propel Sorenson’s AST into its next chapter of growth and impact.”

As a leading provider of language services, Sorenson strives to ensure quality communication for the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities. The company integrates patented technology with professional sign language interpreters, facilitating over 140 million conversations annually.

Sorenson’s product offerings include CaptionCall, Video Relay Service (VRS), and various enterprise solutions. The company is also a portfolio entity of Ariel Alternatives, committed to reducing its environmental footprint while enhancing service delivery.

For more information about Sorenson and its innovative solutions, visit sorenson.com.