Ep 7: Making Space for Africa’s Languages in AI

Who gets to be heard in the digital age?In this episode of AI for Local Impact, we speak with Professor Vukosi Marivate to explore why language inclusion is central to responsible AI on the continent. While most AI systems are built in dominant global languages, Africa’s rich linguistic diversity remains underrepresented in digital platforms and machine learning models.The African Languages Lab at the University of Pretoria, is a new initiative working to protect, promote, and digitize African languages through AI research, open data development, and capacity building. The Lab is building a future where African languages are not left behind.This podcast is part of the AI4D program, supported by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).