Lucky Uwakwe, chairman of the Blockchain Industry Coordinating Committee of Nigeria (BICCoN), underscores a crucial mission: using artificial intelligence (AI) to preserve African languages facing extinction. In a recent conversation with Cointelegraph, Uwakwe stressed the urgency of protecting these languages as socio-economic factors lead to their decline. He cited languages in Plateau State, Nigeria, as an example, where insecurity has displaced communities, causing their languages to scatter and diminish.
Harnessing Technology to Preserve African Languages
Uwakwe’s vision is clear: no language should be lost to time. He passionately believes that AI and blockchain technology can play pivotal roles in this endeavor. Highlighting a glaring disparity to preserve African languages, he pointed out that global tech giants like Google only offer translation for a handful of Nigerian languages—Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, and Pidgin—out of over 100 languages spoken in the country. This lack of support means that many languages are at risk because developers lack the necessary training models to build new applications.
But this issue extends beyond Nigeria, reflecting a broader challenge across the continent. To combat this, Uwakwe champions the integration of AI and blockchain to preserve and revive endangered languages. By combining these technologies, communities can be incentivized to speak and document their native languages, earning tokens in the process. These data sets then train AI models to understand and support these languages, ensuring their survival in the digital age.
Driving Innovation in Nigeria
Uwakwe’s dedication to this cause is further solidified by his recent appointment as the LingoAI community ambassador for Nigeria and Africa. As CEO of Sabi Group, he has tirelessly promoted blockchain and Web3 solutions across the continent. His advocacy is part of a broader trend among Nigerian officials who see the potential of these technologies to address various societal issues.
For instance, on June 30, Olanipekun Olukoyede, chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, emphasized the role of blockchain and AI in tackling illicit financial flows in Africa. This shared vision among leaders highlights a growing recognition of the transformative power of technology in addressing both cultural preservation and socio-economic challenges.
In essence, Uwakwe’s efforts are not just about preserving languages; they’re about safeguarding cultural heritage and fostering innovation. By leveraging AI and blockchain, there’s hope for a future where no language—and no culture—is left behind.
