Building a more linguistically rich, inclusive internet: the AI opportunity

For all its reach, the Internet remains linguistically narrow. Just seven languages dominate its content. And when it comes to the large language models (LLMs) behind today’s generative AI, that field narrows further still, with English and Chinese at the center. The result is a digital divide where billions are disadvantaged simply because their languages are underrepresented online. Yet this critical moment also presents a remarkable opportunity for growth.

When people can access the Internet in their own languages, they gain fairer access to education, healthcare, jobs, and civic and economic participation. Diverse languages online also safeguard unique histories and worldviews, expand the global pool of knowledge, and give marginalized communities a stronger voice. For technology, language diversity makes AI systems smarter and fairer while opening new markets and opportunities. In short, it ensures the digital world reflects the full spectrum of human experience, not just a narrow slice of it. With urgency and intentionality, we can harness AI to preserve linguistic diversity, expand inclusion, and ensure the Internet reflects the full breadth of human culture.

Read the full article.