Another Crazy Day in AI: Indigenous Innovation Saves Endangered Languages
- Wowza Team
- Aug 1
- 4 min read
Hello, AI Enthusiasts.
Before the weekend fully kicks in, here’s something to carry into your downtime.
AI is now being used to protect endangered Indigenous languages, with tools like “Skobot”—a conversational robot you wear on your shoulder like a wise, language-teaching parrot. It’s a hopeful twist in a space often driven by speed instead of soul.
Meanwhile, Canvas is rolling out generative AI across its platform. Some say it helps with grading. Others say… maybe slow down.
And Reddit? It’s leaning hard into AI-powered ad targeting... and Wall Street seems to like what it sees.
You made it through the week. Let your thoughts wander a little.
Here's another crazy day in AI:
Community tech preserves cultural voices
Higher Ed faces faculty resistance to new AI tools
Wall Street cheers Reddit’s AI advertising strategy
Some AI tools to try out
TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Skobot and the Fight for Indigenous Words
Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)
What does it take to keep a language alive when there are fewer and fewer people left to speak it?
As thousands of Indigenous languages face extinction, a new generation of Indigenous researchers, roboticists, and technologists is taking an unconventional approach, using AI-powered tools and charming shoulder-perching robots to help revitalize disappearing dialects. In Smithsonian Magazine, author Serena Jampel shares how creators like Danielle Boyer and Michael Running Wolf are working to keep ancestral tongues alive through culturally respectful, community-driven innovations.
The article follows projects like Skobot, a playful robot that speaks Anishinaabemowin, and FLAIR, a Montreal-based initiative building portable AI-powered learning kits. But as these tools grow in popularity, so do the concerns. Misinformation, lack of consent, and cultural disrespect from mainstream AI models have fueled a parallel call for data sovereignty, ethical practices, and Indigenous control over language tech.
Important findings from the research:
Roughly 40% of the world's 6,700 languages are at risk of disappearing, with Indigenous communities experiencing disproportionate losses
Research indicates that maintaining linguistic connections can improve community health outcomes, including reduced teen suicide rates
Boyer's Skobot uses motion sensors and children's recorded voices to engage learners in conversational practice sessions
The FLAIR initiative has created portable hardware with customizable voice-based curricula for different Indigenous languages
Most Indigenous languages have complex grammatical structures that don't translate well to AI systems built primarily for European languages
Computer scientist Jared Coleman has developed methods for programming language rules directly into AI when training data is scarce
Popular AI platforms like ChatGPT often generate incorrect translations and sometimes invent fake tribal stories
Legal disputes continue over language exploitation, including a recent lawsuit by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe over unauthorized recordings
These new projects emphasize community control, allowing participants to withdraw their language contributions whenever they choose
The challenges facing these language preservation efforts run much deeper than technical limitations. Many Indigenous communities approach any outside technology with warranted skepticism, given a long history of exploitation by researchers and institutions. Sacred stories have been recorded without permission, languages have been misrepresented in educational materials sold for profit, and cultural knowledge has been appropriated without meaningful community involvement. The researchers featured in Jampel's article acknowledge this history and work within it, building projects that prioritize community ownership over technological innovation.
The practical realities of language endangerment add another layer of complexity. When a language has only a handful of elderly speakers left, every conversation becomes precious. Traditional classroom settings can feel intimidating for adult learners who worry about making mistakes or mispronouncing words in front of others. AI tools offer something different: patient, non-judgmental practice opportunities that can supplement human instruction. The Skobot won't roll its eyes at incorrect grammar, and FLAIR's portable devices work in remote areas where reliable internet access remains elusive. These technologies seem most promising when they function as bridges rather than replacements, connecting learners with their heritage while respecting the irreplaceable role of human teachers and community elders. The real test will be whether these innovations can help create new speakers while honoring the cultural protocols that give languages their deeper meaning. Success will likely depend less on the sophistication of the technology and more on how well these projects maintain the trust and involvement of the communities they aim to serve.
Read the full article here.
OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:
Higher Ed Faces Faculty Resistance to New AI Tools
/Kathryn Palmer, General Assignment Reporter, on Inside Higher Ed
Canvas, one of the most widely used learning management systems in higher education, is partnering with OpenAI to roll out generative AI features across its platform. The goal: help with grading, content generation, and student interaction. While companies tout increased efficiency, many faculty members remain skeptical. They question whether these tools truly support learning or simply deepen reliance on data-driven infrastructure, raising concerns about workload, assessment quality, and institutional priorities.
Read more here.
Wall Street Cheers Reddit’s AI Advertising Strategy
/Kritika Lamba and Rashika Singh, on Reuters
Reddit shares jumped 15% after strong Q2 results, fueled by its AI-enhanced ad targeting and growing daily user base. The company’s AI tools help marketers place ads within conversations, which Wall Street sees as a competitive advantage. With revenue projections beating estimates and a bullish outlook, Reddit is drawing comparisons to Meta and Alphabet in its ad performance. Its growing user engagement and AI-based ad personalization are driving optimism despite ongoing challenges with traffic volatility.
Read more here.
SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:
GenSpark Slides – Build presentations with smart templates and content suggestions.
Showrunner – Create interactive, choose-your-own-adventure-style TV episodes.
Infogrammy – Turn raw data into beautiful, shareable infographics with AI.
That’s a wrap on today’s Almost Daily craziness.
Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉
EXCITING NEWS:
The Another Crazy Day in AI newsletter is on LinkedIn!!!
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