The Voice Of Our Land: Preserving Indigenous Languages With AI

By Gabriela Salas Cabreras

Photo Credit: Comisión Estatal para el Desarrollo Sostenible de los Pueblos Indígenas, Hidalgo, Mexico. The Comisión was also involved with the writing of this article.

In forgotten corners of the world, where ancient trees stand sentinel and rivers carve stories into granite rock, languages as old as time itself are fading into whispers. These Indigenous tongues, rich with the wisdom of generations and intimately tied to the lands that birthed them, face an uncertain future in our rapidly globalizing world. Yet, in an unexpected twist of fate, the very technology that seems to homogenize our global culture may hold the key to preserving these linguistic treasures.

Artificial Intelligence, often perceived as the harbinger of a uniform digital future, is being repurposed as a guardian of diversity. In labs and universities across the globe, researchers are training AI systems to understand, process, and even generate Indigenous languages. This intersection of cutting-edge technology and ancient wisdom creates a fascinating paradox—one that could reshape our understanding of cultural preservation.

Consider the melodic tones of Quechua, the language of the Inca Empire, still spoken by millions in the Andean highlands. Its complex system of suffixes, capable of conveying nuanced meanings with a single word, presents a unique challenge for machine learning algorithms. Yet, as AI systems grapple with these intricacies, they not only preserve the language but also offer insights into the worldview embedded within its structure.

The process of training AI on Indigenous languages is far from a cold, mechanical endeavor. It requires a committed and deep collaboration between linguists, Indigenous communities, and technologists. Luckily, these partnerships are well underway, led by Indigenous advocates and universities. Elders share stories, songs, and everyday conversations, their voices are captured and become the lifeblood of the AI systems. In turn, these digital repositories become a bridge between generations, allowing young community members to connect with their heritage in new and meaningful ways.

But the impact extends beyond mere preservation. As AI systems become more adept at

processing diverse languages, they challenge the dominance of major languages in the digital realm. Suddenly, the internet—that great equalizer—becomes accessible to communities that have long been marginalized in the digital conversation. Imagine a world where a child in a remote village can ask questions in her native tongue and receive answers drawn from the global wealth of knowledge.

This technological approach to linguistic diversity also offers a unique lens through which to view our shared humanity. As AI systems draw connections between languages, they reveal the common threads that bind our stories together. A turn of phrase in Maori might find its echo in a Saami expression, highlighting the universal experiences that underpin our diverse cultures.

What is exciting is that we now know that natural language processing and AI are true allies in the rescue of indigenous languages. It is a completely viable mission. Yet, this endeavor is not without its challenges. The very act of digitizing languages raises questions about ownership, privacy, and the commodification of culture. How do we ensure that the AI systems respect the sacred nature of certain words or stories? How do we prevent the exploitation of Indigenous knowledge in a world hungry for novelty?

These are questions that require careful consideration and constant dialogue between

technologists and indigenous communities. The goal is not to fossilize these languages in digital amber but to create living, breathing digital ecosystems that support the continued evolution and use of Indigenous tongues.

As we stand at this intersection of ancient wisdom and futuristic technology, we are reminded of the delicate balance between progress and preservation. The whispers of our ancestors, carried through generations, now find new resonance in the hum of servers and the flicker of screens. In this unlikely union, we may yet find a path to a future where the tapestry of human language grows ever richer, where every voice—no matter how small—has the chance to be heard and understood.

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Gabriela Salas Cabrera is an accomplished data scientist with advanced degrees in Information Technology and Mathematics. She is an indigenous Nahuatl-speaking woman from Chapulhuacán, Hidalgo, and is also fluent in Spanish, English, and Tének. Gabriela is a dedicated advocate for Indigenous representation in technology, serving as the first Indigenous woman in the tech field with the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World-UNESCO. She has developed projects for suicide prevention and leukemia detection, mentored STEM women, and collaboratedwith Google to integrate Nahuatl and Mayan languages into Google Translate. Gabriela is passionate about motivating indigenous girls to pursue STEM careers and works actively to preserve Indigenous languages through AI.