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Bridging the AI Language Gap: Africa's Quest for Inclusion
AI -Vo
August 13, 2023
In the vast world of languages, a significant number remain unsupported by modern AI tools like Siri and Alexa. African dialects, rich in history and culture, are among the most overlooked. This systemic bias in the tech industry isn't just a technological oversight—it's a cultural one.
Enter Masakhane, a grassroots organization with a mission: advancing natural language processing (NLP) in African languages. Their recent research, driven by African linguists, tech experts, and business leaders, highlights the importance of these languages to cultural identities. With over 2,000 languages originating from Africa, the need for digital tools like dictionaries, spell checkers, and keyboards in African languages is evident. Kathleen Siminyu, an AI researcher at Masakhane Foundation, emphasizes that representation in language technology isn't an afterthought—it's foundational.
As AI continues to evolve, the call for inclusivity and representation grows louder, urging the tech world to listen.
