Indigenous digital advocates in Mexico uphold their autonomy over artificial intelligence technologies
The AI+Indigenous Languages Forum, held in Mexico City on March 13 and 14, 2023, brought together digital activists from across the globe to discuss the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in preserving and promoting Indigenous languages. The event, organised by Rising Voices, First Languages AI Reality (FLAIR), and the Research Chair in Digital Indigeneities at Bishop's University in Canada, was supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Embassy of Canada in Mexico, the Wikimedia Foundation, and the Cultural Center of Spain in Mexico.
The forum emphasised the need for inclusive technologies such as search engines, voice agents, and automatic translation devices in Indigenous languages. It also highlighted the importance of preserving Indigenous cultures through digital repositories, community media, and new maps based on their territorial vision.
Universities like the University of Hamburg and the University of Leipzig in Germany have been at the forefront of developing speech technologies for indigenous languages of Mexico, focusing on automatic speech recognition, text-to-speech synthesis, and language documentation tools.
Veronica Aguilar, one of the speakers, discussed the need to question how content is collected and presented to avoid biases and stereotypes. She emphasised the importance of respecting communities' autonomy regarding access to and use of their knowledge.
Dani Ramos, a Nahua student, presented AI applications using Indigenous languages in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Latin America. The forum recognised the need to continue the dialogue to create appropriate tools and protocols for Indigenous communities in the context of AI and language technologies.
Participants also discussed various topics, including linguistic and cultural sovereignty, intellectual property rights, environmental impact, and data collection and presentation biases. They suggested strengthening digital activists' networks, promoting technological autonomy, safe use of AI, and developing collaborative workshops for recommendations adapted to Indigenous contexts.
Lack of technological knowledge, surveillance risks, and digital divides were identified as significant ethical and technical challenges related to the use of AI. Katia González expressed concern about the environmental impact of AI requirements. To address these challenges, the creation of intercultural networks, technological cooperatives, and technological sovereignty with their own programming languages was proposed.
The forum also emphasised the importance of inclusive regulatory frameworks and policies that prioritise the protection of human rights and cultural diversity. The second day of the forum focused on establishing principles for AI development.
Examples of such applications include Te Hiku Media, Indigenous and Artificial Intelligence Protocol, Abundant Intelligences, Lakota AI Code Camp, IndigiGenius, and FLAIR. The forum concluded with a commitment to continue the dialogue and work towards creating a more inclusive and respectful digital future for Indigenous communities.
