East African Experts Tout AI for Kiswahili Advancement

The East African Kiswahili Commission (EAKC) has issued a strong appeal for investment in artificial intelligence (AI) tools and digital language systems. This call is crucial to ensure the Kiswahili language remains relevant and central to regional integration amidst rapid global technological shifts.

The appeal was made in light of the 5th World Kiswahili Language Day celebrations and the 3rd EAKC International Conference, held in Burundi. The event convened delegates from across East African Community (EAC) member states, including academics, tech experts, and policymakers.

Dr. Caroline Asiimwe, Executive Secretary of the EAKC, highlighted Kiswahili’s growing global presence, spoken by over 250 million people. She described it as a significant cultural and economic asset for Africa, and a fast-growing global language vital for peacebuilding, social integration, and diplomacy.

The burgeoning field of AI presents both opportunities and challenges for African languages. Experts are concerned about the underrepresentation of languages like Kiswahili in global digital systems, particularly in machine learning and large language datasets. Dr. Asiimwe emphasized the need for Kiswahili not just to adapt to the digital revolution, but to actively influence its direction.

To achieve this, the EAKC calls for enhanced collaboration between governments, researchers, and the private sector to develop open-source Kiswahili datasets and AI tools. A strong focus is also placed on empowering youth-led digital innovation, ensuring young people are at the forefront of creating Kiswahili-based digital content and applications.

The conference aims to generate recommendations for language policy and digital transformation, which will inform broader EAC integration strategies. The EAKC’s future work will concentrate on integrating Kiswahili into emerging technologies, positioning it as a language of innovation and continental influence.

Source: Nile Post