The Explainer: Can AI Help Revitalize the Irish Language?
The Journal’s new podcast series in Irish is just the beginning: researchers are exploring AI tools to help preserve and promote the language, and the results could be transformative.
The Irish language has been a topic of interest for AI researchers in recent years, with projects aiming to create new language models, translation tools, and even chatbots that converse in Irish. These initiatives have sparked debate about the potential for AI to help revitalize the language, which has been in decline for decades.
Building Bigger Datasets
One of the main challenges facing AI researchers is the lack of large datasets in Irish. Unlike English, which has thousands of hours of recorded audio, the Irish language has limited resources, making it difficult to train AI models to accurately understand and generate the language. To address this issue, researchers at University College Cork (UCC) are creating datasets using Irish language podcasts, books, and online content.
What this means
By increasing the availability of Irish language data, AI tools can become more accurate and effective, making them a valuable resource for language learners and native speakers alike. This could also enable AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants to communicate in Irish, further promoting the language’s use in everyday life.
However, some linguists argue that relying on AI to preserve the Irish language is not the solution, and that more focus should be placed on language education and promoting its use in Gaeltacht areas. The debate highlights the complexities of using AI to support endangered languages, and the need for a multifaceted approach to their preservation.
A Multifaceted Approach
As AI researchers continue to explore ways to support the Irish language, the importance of human interaction and language education cannot be overstated. By combining AI tools with traditional language learning methods, the Irish language may have a brighter future than ever before. The Explainer podcast series will continue to explore the intersection of AI and Irish, shedding light on the latest developments and initiatives.
