On September 4, 2025, the world witnessed a remarkable convergence of efforts to bridge the artificial intelligence (AI) language gap—both in Africa and East Asia. From the bustling fields of South Africa to the high-tech conference halls of Jeju, South Korea, innovators are racing to ensure that the transformative power of AI doesn’t leave anyone behind, regardless of the language they speak or their physical abilities.
According to BBC News, Africa, a continent home to over a quarter of the world’s languages, has long faced a glaring omission in the digital revolution: most AI tools are designed for English, European, or Chinese speakers, leaving millions without access to cutting-edge technology. The problem stems from a lack of investment and, crucially, a dearth of written data. Many African languages are predominantly spoken, with few written resources available online for AI systems to learn from. As a result, AI-powered tools like ChatGPT have little to offer speakers of Kikuyu, Hausa, isiZulu, or the hundreds of other indigenous tongues found across the continent.
But change is afoot. The Africa Next Voices project, a collaboration between linguists and computer scientists, has assembled what’s believed to be the largest dataset of African languages ever created for AI. Over two years, teams fanned out across Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, recording 9,000 hours of everyday speech in 18 languages, including Kikuyu, Dholuo, Yoruba, and Tshivenda. The project’s Kenyan lead, computational linguist Lilian Wanzare, told BBC News, "We gathered voices from different regions, ages and backgrounds so it's as inclusive as possible. Big tech can't always see those nuances."
The initiative, made possible by a $2.2 million grant from the Gates Foundation, is more than just an academic exercise. The open-access dataset is already empowering developers to build translation, transcription, and AI response tools tailored to African languages. The hope is that, over time, the project will expand to cover more of the continent’s estimated 2,000-plus languages, ensuring that no one is left out of the AI revolution.
For South African farmer Kelebogile Mosime, the impact is tangible. Managing a 21-hectare plot in Rustenburg, she relies on an app called AI-Farmer, which recognizes several local languages, including Setswana. "Daily, I see the benefits of being able to use my home language Setswana on the app when I run into problems on the farm, I ask anything and get a useful answer," Mosime shared with BBC News. She credits the app with helping her diagnose plant illnesses and explore pest control options, making technology accessible in a way that feels natural and intuitive.
Meanwhile, in South Korea, a different but equally urgent push for AI inclusivity was on display at the Small and Medium Business Technology Management Innovation Competition, held at the International Convention Center in Jeju. The event, which coincided with the APEC Small and Medium Business Ministers’ Meeting themed "Innovative Growth," drew 20,000 visitors and showcased 23 AI-driven innovations aimed at improving everyday life and manufacturing.
Among the most notable presentations was KLCube’s "HandSign Talk Talk"—a platform that uses AI avatars to translate spoken language into sign language, making essential information accessible to the deaf community. "70% of deaf people have difficulty reading and understanding. Providing sign language as avatars can improve their quality of life," KLCube emphasized at the event. The platform, which can be integrated with smartphones, web pages, and public kiosks, is set to launch on the Seoul City Hall website in November and will be distributed to the Philippines in 2026 through KOICA’s Tips project.
The competition also highlighted Angel Robotics’ "Angelleg M20" walking assist robot, already in use at over 120 South Korean medical institutions. Designed for patients recovering from strokes, sarcopenia, and spinal surgery, the device recognizes the wearer’s intention to walk and provides tailored support for rehabilitation. Angel Robotics is seeking medical device certification in Thailand and Vietnam, signaling ambitions for global expansion. An official from the company noted, "We are also preparing for overseas expansion by obtaining medical device certification from Thailand and Vietnam this year."
Other innovations on display included Tesolo’s robot hand, boasting 20 sub-motor joints to mimic the dexterity of the human hand; Wiplo’s non-contact drone repair platform, which can identify signs of failure before they occur; and Best Tech’s glasses-free VR tablets for immersive education and training. These advances, selected by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups for their technological merit and global market potential, demonstrate the breadth of AI’s real-world applications.
Minister Seong Sook Han, addressing the assembled entrepreneurs and dignitaries, underscored the international appetite for collaboration with Korean startups. "I realized that APEC member countries are very interested in cooperation with Korean startups and mid-term companies. We will support AI-based technology innovation and commercialization so that Korean small and medium-sized companies can become leaders in the global stage through multilateral international events held for the first time since the launch of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups in 2017, and focus our policy capabilities on creating an AI start-up ecosystem," Han stated. She also announced plans for bilateral talks with officials from Indonesia, China, Japan, Peru, and Vietnam, further cementing Korea’s role as a hub for AI innovation.
Back in Africa, the stakes are more than economic. As Professor Vukosi Marivathe of the University of Pretoria, a lead researcher on the Africa Next Voices project, put it, "We think in our own languages, dream in them and interpret the world through them. If technology doesn't reflect that, a whole group risks being left behind." He went on to stress, "Language is access to imagination. It's not just words – it's history, culture, knowledge. If indigenous languages aren't included, we lose more than data; we lose ways of seeing and understanding the world."
Pelonomi Moiloa, CEO of Lelapa AI—a South African company developing AI tools for banks and telecoms—echoed these concerns, telling BBC News, "English is the language of opportunity. For many South Africans who don't speak it, it's not just inconvenient – it can mean missing out on essential services like healthcare, banking or even government support. Language can be a huge barrier. We're saying it shouldn't be."
As AI continues its rapid advance, these parallel efforts in Africa and Asia underscore a critical lesson: technology must serve all of humanity, not just those whose voices are already loudest online. By investing in language inclusivity and accessibility, innovators are ensuring that the digital future is one everyone can share in—no matter where they live or what language they speak.
