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The Sign Reader

An AI can read text that sits inside a picture. On a sign, for example, or on a note.

Step 1 of 3

What you'll learn in this level

  • How a computer reads letters out of a picture
  • Why knowing the language makes reading much better
  • Where text recognition reaches its limits

How a Computer Learns to Read

An AI can read text that sits inside a picture. On a sign, for example, or on a note.

So a computer can read signs. Or notes. Or any text that shows up in a photo.

How Text Recognition Works

  1. Find the text

    First the AI looks for spots where text could be. It watches for patterns of lines and shapes.

  2. Read the characters

    Then it looks at each spot closely. It works out single characters and turns them into real text.

  3. Check the language

    Good systems also check whether a word makes sense. That way "cl0ud" turns back into "cloud".

  4. In real life

    People scan old books with it. They translate foreign signs. And blind people have text read out to them.

In a moment you guess first — then the AI reads along.

Guess first, then experiment

The photo shows "HEL1O". One spot is hard to read. What does the text AI read?