NATIONAL NEWS - You may already have experienced an inxumano yomuntu nomshini – a human-machine interaction – without even realising it.
Thanks to a new AI glossary by Google, in partnership with the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), you can now understand that this Zulu phrase translates to ‘human-in-the-loop’ (HITL).
According to the glossary on GitHub: “In machine learning, HITL is used in the sense of humans aiding the computer in making the correct decisions in building a model.”
The glossary defines 100 standard AI terms and their meanings in Zulu, Afrikaans and Xhosa.
Its goal is to bridge the digital divide. To achieve this, Google invites researchers, educators, developers, translators and interpreters, policy makers and language enthusiasts to use these terms in their conversations, curricula and technology, giving millions of South Africans the language tools to engage with artificial intelligence in their mother tongue.
How African languages can adapt alongside technology
An apt panel discussion on how African languages can adapt alongside technology was held when the glossary was launched at Google’s South Africa offices in Johannesburg yesterday.
Google explains that the glossary builds on earlier work to produce a Swahili version in East Africa and is part of a broader collaboration between Google and African partners to make digital innovation more inclusive and bridge the digital divide for an estimated 266 million speakers of these four languages across the continent.
Among the terms defined are everyday concepts such as ‘conversational AI’ – systems that simulate human dialogue through natural language processing – and ‘hallucination’, which describes instances where AI tools generate information that sounds credible but is incorrect.
Google believes that, as English is the dominant language in technology and science in Africa, it makes it difficult for non-English speakers to take part in conversations about new technologies. By defining key AI concepts in local languages, the glossary helps close this gap, giving people the words to engage confidently with emerging technologies and supporting developers, educators, translators and everyday users alike, the tech giant believes.
Google country director Kabelo Makwane says the project shows what can be achieved when technology companies and language institutions work together. “We want everyone to have the words to understand and shape the technologies that are changing the world,” Makwane adds.
PanSALB chief executive Lance Schultz says the partnership demonstrates how linguistic development and digital innovation can go hand in hand.
“Our aim is to ensure that South Africa’s languages remain living, relevant and adaptable. By standardising AI terms, we are helping to modernise our languages and ensure that their speakers are not excluded from the global digital conversation.”
The glossary is available immediately and will be freely accessible to the public. You can access it here.
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