Artificial intelligence is playing a crucial role in the survival and revitalization of endangered languages worldwide. With approximately 3,000 languages at risk due to various factors, AI tools offer innovative solutions for documentation, preservation, and education.
Several initiatives are underway to leverage AI for language preservation. Michael Running Wolf, technical director of the First Languages AI Reality initiative, emphasizes Indigenous data sovereignty, ensuring Indigenous communities control their data. His work focuses on creating offline AI tools that support language learning and fluency.
In the Philippines, Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo developed NightOwlGPT, an AI-powered translation app designed to promote and preserve Filipino languages. The app integrates cultural nuances and works offline, making it accessible in remote areas. Mozilla's Common Voice platform is also being utilized in Africa to create open-source datasets in 31 African languages, addressing the challenges of dialectal variations and standardization.
These AI-driven efforts, combined with community involvement and ethical considerations, hold the potential to empower marginalized communities and ensure that endangered languages have a place in the digital world. The Indigenous Language Digital Activism Summit in Mexico City (March 11–15, 2025) and the Indigenous Languages Symposium are key events fostering collaboration and innovation in this field.