AI for Community : Preserving Culture and Tradition

AI for Community examines how technology can bridge cultural divides while considering what it means to preserve culture responsibly and human flourishing. It recognizes that not all traditions should be protected without scrutiny, and that AI systems, if not carefully designed, will perpetuate harmful biases.

Authored by a multigenerational, multicultural team, this book presents real-world examples and ethical insights that are timely, actionable, and deeply human-centered. It introduces pioneering projects like the Indigenous Knowledge Graph, which documented ancestral wisdom; Google’s Project Elevate Black Voices, enhancing speech recognition for AAVE; and Laleh AI, which preserves an Islamic thinker’s insights posthumously. Initiatives like UNESCO’s work on cultural heritage preservation and NVIDIA’s collaboration with Te Hiku Media to safeguard the Maori language showcase AI’s vital role in reviving endangered languages.

The book interweaves Community Voices sections between chapters, featuring interviews which explore the role and implementation of AI in new arenas. Each chapter is also supported by online resources accessible as podcasts, videos, and articles, that provide multimedia ways to deepen understandings of culturally aware AI.

AI for Community highlights how community-driven language preservation, storytelling, and inclusive design can empower diverse cultures and protect their heritage. The book is a vital resource for those seeking to create AI that respects and uplifts communities.