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Writer's pictureAnna Mae Yu Lamentillo

AI Knows No Boundaries—Why Should Language Preservation?

Updated: Dec 19



In today’s hyper-connected world, artificial intelligence (AI) knows no boundaries. It’s transforming industries, breaking down communication barriers, and reshaping global interactions in ways we couldn’t have imagined just a decade ago. With its ability to transcend linguistic and geographic divides, AI stands as a testament to technology’s limitless potential. Yet, while AI races ahead, thousands of the world’s languages are quietly disappearing. As a member of the Karay-a ethnolinguistic group in the Philippines, I’ve seen this crisis unfold firsthand. Our language, like many others, is at risk of fading from everyday life. If AI knows no boundaries, why should language preservation?


The Language Extinction Crisis


Currently, over 40% of the world’s 7,000 languages are endangered, and many could vanish within a few decades. This isn’t just an issue affecting remote or isolated communities—it’s a global crisis impacting minority languages everywhere, including Karay-a and Baybayin, an ancient Filipino script that’s nearly forgotten.


Last month, I had the privilege of attending One Young World Indigenous Youth Day in Montreal, Canada, as an Impact AI Scholar of The Brandtech Group . There, I spoke with over 100 indigenous youth leaders from across the globe. What struck me was how universal the experience of language endangerment is. Every leader—from North America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and beyond—confirmed that their native languages and cultural identities are at risk. This is not a localized problem; it’s a global phenomenon. Just as AI transcends borders, the erosion of our linguistic heritage knows no boundaries either.


In my own community, Karay-a is slowly being overshadowed by dominant languages like Tagalog and English. Fewer young people speak it fluently, and with each passing year, traditional stories, songs, and our unique worldview slip further into obscurity. The same is true for Baybayin, a pre-colonial script that’s now largely outside of mainstream consciousness. It’s time we recognize that just as AI can reshape industries, it can also offer a solution to this crisis.


AI and Language Preservation: A New Frontier


The same technology that powers real-time translations and personalized communication tools can serve as a lifeline for endangered languages. AI, with its capacity to process and analyze vast amounts of data, is uniquely suited to catalog, preserve, and even revitalize languages on the brink of extinction.


Platforms like NightOwlGPT are leading the way by offering real-time translation, interactive learning modules, and cultural insights for endangered languages. For languages like Karay-a and Baybayin, AI presents a powerful opportunity to make these linguistic treasures accessible, not just to native speakers, but to a global audience. This ensures that these languages continue to evolve and remain relevant in the digital age.


NightOwlGPT

Incorporating endangered languages into AI-powered platforms is crucial for ensuring they aren’t left behind. By leveraging AI, we can document these languages, create digital learning resources, and provide them on platforms where younger, tech-savvy generations can interact with them. AI has the potential to breathe new life into endangered languages, making them part of the modern conversation rather than relics of the past.


Breaking Boundaries: Why Language Preservation Should Know No Limits


Just as AI transcends geographic and temporal barriers, language preservation efforts should also know no limits. In today’s digital age, a language spoken by only a few hundred people can reach millions. The global digital landscape, driven by AI, allows us to scale language preservation efforts in unprecedented ways.


One of AI’s most exciting potentials is its adaptability. As AI systems learn more languages, they create a ripple effect, spreading knowledge and increasing the use of even the rarest tongues. This can help prevent the linguistic homogenization that threatens to erase thousands of languages from human history.


Moreover, AI can empower indigenous communities to lead their own language revitalization efforts. Many groups are already using digital tools to document and share their languages, and AI can further amplify these efforts by providing automated transcription, translation, and content creation. This ensures that languages are not only preserved but also evolve and remain in use for future generations.


The Economic and Social Imperative


Language preservation is not just a cultural issue—it is an economic and social necessity. As the global economy becomes more integrated, linguistic diversity becomes a valuable asset. In sectors like healthcare, education, and international development, being able to communicate in multiple languages is critical for outreach and inclusivity. AI can help bridge these language gaps, providing real-time translation services that enable marginalized communities to access vital resources.


For indigenous groups like mine, ensuring that Karay-a or Baybayin remains part of the global conversation opens doors in education, business, and governance. It ensures that our voices are not drowned out by dominant languages and that our cultural contributions continue to enrich global diversity.


A Call to Action


As we move into a future driven by AI, we must ask ourselves: if AI knows no boundaries, why should language preservation? The tools we have at our disposal can do more than revolutionize industries—they can also preserve the world’s most vulnerable languages. But this will require a collective commitment from governments, technology developers, and communities.


At One Young World Indigenous Youth Day, the sense of urgency shared by 100 indigenous youth leaders was unmistakable: our languages are more than just words. They are the embodiment of who we are—our histories and our futures. By harnessing the power of AI, we can ensure that these languages are not only preserved but flourish in a world that often overlooks their value.


Technology is neutral. It reflects the priorities we set. If we value diversity, culture, and human heritage, we must use AI to safeguard languages before they disappear. The future speaks many languages, and AI can ensure that they all have a voice. Let’s make sure none of them are left behind.


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