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Bronze Award
Break the Sound Barrier
Spotify
United States
2026
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Entrant Company
Syracuse University, The Newhouse School
Program
Clio Music 2026
Medium Type
Student
Medium
Student Innovation
Category
Student Innovation
We were asked how Spotify could use technology to spread positivity and connect listeners with creators and communities. We uncovered the insight that music is not an inclusive hobby, as music-sharing platforms do not yet have features that cater to the deaf community. “Break the Sound Barrier” solves this by making music streaming accessible to the full spectrum of hearing, using deepfake technology for social good. The idea integrates deaf sign language performers, like Justina Miles, into every song on Spotify. Using deepfake technology, the concept translates performances into over 300 sign languages, making music accessible to the deaf community exclusively on Spotify. Musicians can also opt-in, allowing Spotify to generate videos of them signing in all languages, bringing deaf fans closer to their favorite artists than ever before.
Credits
School
Syracuse University, The Newhouse School
Syracuse, NY
Art Director
Marlana Bianchi
Syracuse University, The Newhouse School
Copywriter
Molly Egan
Syracuse University's The Newhouse School
Professor
Mel White
Syracuse University, The Newhouse School
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