In a groundbreaking effort to preserve endangered Indigenous languages, a team of students has developed an AI-powered tool aimed at revitalizing them. The project, highlighted by Tech Xplore, focuses on using cutting-edge technology to bridge the gap between modern communication and traditional linguistic heritage.

The AI tool, which is still in its prototype stage, is designed to assist speakers of endangered languages by providing real-time translation, educational resources, and language preservation strategies. Many Indigenous languages are in danger due to a decline in Native speakers, often driven by external factors such as colonization, urbanization, and cultural assimilation. According to Tech Xplore, over 40% of the world’s approximately 7,000 languages are currently endangered, with Indigenous languages facing the greatest threats.

This AI tool offers new hope for reversing that trend by creating a platform where younger generations can engage with their Native languages. The team behind the innovation seeks to encourage not just language preservation but also cultural continuity through educational systems and accessible tools for communities.

This initiative comes at a critical time when several organizations and Indigenous communities around the world are ramping up efforts to safeguard their linguistic heritage, with the United Nations declaring 2022-2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. Technology has increasingly become an ally in this fight, providing resources that were previously unavailable for smaller, marginalized communities.

By leveraging machine learning and AI, the tool aims to create a more sustainable and scalable solution to language preservation, especially for languages with limited written records or those passed down through oral traditions. As we continue into an era of rapid technological advancement, initiatives like this AI-powered tool signal a promising future for the preservation of Indigenous identities worldwide.

Source: Tech Xplore