Hey there AI, do you understand me?
Let's travel to the future: what will happen when machines understand Spanish?
Fotografía Inteligencia Artificial con mano humana (2021) by Tara WinsteaOriginal Source: http://pexels.com/
Artificial intelligence (AI) was born with the intention of efficiently and effectively processing the large amount of data to which we have access, and thus provide human beings with better understanding and less wasted time.
Infografía inteligencial artificial (2023) by Burhan KapkinerFundación Antonio de Nebrija
The objective of AI is to give answers similar to those that a human being would give in the same scenario, so it must have an in-depth understanding of the way in which we communicate.
Computational linguistics has taken on a very important role in the development of AI. In fact, language is now the epicenter of programming, thanks to the development of language technology (LT) and natural language processing (NLP).
Let's travel into the future
Imagine that X years have passed, and that we have unveiled the key to making machines understand language. Now technology understands the global meaning of languages and can imitate human communication almost perfectly.
Infografía inteligencial artificial (2023) by Burhan KapkinerFundación Antonio de Nebrija
In this scenario, it would be almost impossible to differentiate whether, through a technological device, you were talking to a person or a machine.
The development of this facet within AI should mean a new dimension for language, favor the progress of mankind, and help society. It should not be used in a harmful manner.
How do we ensure the proper use of AI?
The Cervantes Institute has developed an ethical decalogue for the creation of a pan-Hispanic digital culture that protects Spanish and our integrity in the future, when the use of AI is integrated into the daily life of humans.
Infografía inteligencial artificial (2023) by Burhan KapkinerFundación Antonio de Nebrija
Ethical guidelines for the pan-Hispanic digital culture
1
Technology is at the service of society, and machines learning Spanish must serve to help us teach it.
2
AIs as transmitters, processors, and receivers of information must maintain responsible and inclusive communication.
3
Teaching a language to machines involves transmitting a culture and values that must be reflected in the code itself. Algorithms must expand the richness of our language and share the pan-Hispanic culture that unites us.
4
AI should favor job opportunities and not cause instability for professionals and workers.
5
AI uses formulas, words, images, designs, and expressions with all the nuances of our languages, placing importance on the context and the way in which human beings communicate with each other.
6
Voice work done through AI must be duly marked as such in order to identify that it has been processed through AI.
7
AI systems will be integrated into global and decentralized networks. The participation of all those who show interest in our common language will be encouraged anywhere in the world.
8
Systems designed within AI will avoid discriminatory or ideological biases and protect privacy and creativity as the generative capacity of machines.
9
Translation and connection of our language with other languages, including AI systems, will be a priority for Spanish to develop easily in the digital universe.
10
All possible customization options will be encouraged for the integration of new tools that guarantee a better digital presence of Spanish: rich, diverse, and dynamic.
Infografía inteligencial artificialFundación Antonio de Nebrija
Would you like to live in this future?
What would you use AI for if it spoke competent Spanish?
This article was inspired by the Ethical Decalogue for a digital panhispanic culture proposed by Luís García Montero, director of the Instituto Cervantes.
Content curation and script: Aina Arbona
Graphic Editor: Carmen García
Consulting and review: Lola Pons (Universidad de Sevilla)
