Indigenous Engineers Use AI to Preserve Endangered Languages and Culture

 Indigenous Engineers Use AI to Preserve Endangered Languages and Culture - Technology,innovation,

 Indigenous Engineers Use AI to Preserve Endangered Languages and Culture

Indigenous languages around the world are disappearing at an alarming rate, but a growing movement of Indigenous technologists is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to fight back. With over 4,000 Indigenous languages at risk, AI could be the key to preserving them for future generations.

Michael Running Wolf, founder of Indigenous in AI, is at the forefront of this movement. Through the First Languages AI Reality project, he and his team at the Mila-Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute are developing speech recognition models for over 200 endangered Indigenous languages in North America. The goal is to create AI tools that can document and revive these languages before they vanish completely.

But challenges abound. Indigenous communities often lack the computer science experts needed to build these preservation tools. Running Wolf points out that only one or two Indigenous people graduate with PhDs in AI each year, making it even harder to find those who understand both the technology and the culture. To tackle this, organizations like IndigiGenius and Tech Natives are training Native American students in computer science, equipping them to work on projects that honor their traditions.

One example is Kyra Kaya, a Native Hawaiian student at Yale University, who developed an AI tool to recognize Hawaiian Pidgin English, aiming to change perceptions of the language and honor her grandmother’s legacy. Kaya’s tool highlights the power of AI to not only preserve languages but also reshape narratives about marginalized communities.

As these initiatives grow, the impact of AI on Indigenous culture goes beyond language preservation. Students like Madeline Gupta are using virtual reality to reconnect Native youth with ancestral lands and stories that were lost due to historical displacement. And artists like Suzanne Kite are blending AI with traditional Indigenous art, exploring how machine learning can reflect cultural knowledge and dreams.

Despite the hurdles, Running Wolf is optimistic. He envisions a future where Indigenous languages thrive, and ethical technology created by Native communities ensures the survival of their cultures. “I hope this technology will be remembered as an artifact of a troubled time,” he says.

What do you think of the role of AI in preserving Indigenous cultures? Share your thoughts below!