Posted 4/13/2024, 6:26:24 AM
Mali Turns to AI to Translate Children's Books into Local Languages Amid Tensions with France
- Mali increasingly using AI to translate children's books into local languages as tensions grow with former colonial power France
- Startup RobotsMali has created over 140 books in Bambara language using AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Translate
- Books aim to reflect lives of regular Malians; AI used to generate stories, illustrate them, and create comprehension tests
- Effort tries to develop stronger written tradition for Bambara as most Malians have only spoken it previously
- Pilot program taught 11 students who'd never attended school to read basic Bambara; students eager to learn more