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Indigenous digital advocates in Mexico assert autonomy over artificial intelligence, upholding their right to self-determination in the field

Artificial Intelligence's Impact on Mexico's Indigenous Languages: A two-day discussion by digital activists focused on whether these technologies serve to renew or jeopardize these languages and cultures.

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Digital activists belonging to Mexico's indigenous community assert control over the development...
Digital activists belonging to Mexico's indigenous community assert control over the development and use of artificial intelligence, manifesting their right to self-governance.

Indigenous digital advocates in Mexico assert autonomy over artificial intelligence, upholding their right to self-determination in the field

The AI+Indigenous Languages Forum, held on March 13 and 14 in Mexico City, brought together 47 digital activists of Indigenous languages from Mexico. The event, hosted by the Cultural Center of Spain, was part of the Indigenous Languages Digital Activists Summit 2025.

Organised by Rising Voices, First Languages AI Reality (FLAIR), and the Research Chair in Digital Indigeneities at Bishop's University in Canada, the forum aimed to address significant ethical and technical challenges related to the use of AI in indigenous languages.

Dani Ramos presented examples of AI applications using Indigenous languages in various countries, including New Zealand's Te Hiku Media, the Indigenous and Artificial Intelligence Protocol, and Abundant Intelligences. The discussions focused on the need for fundamental principles in AI development, addressing risks such as gender bias, algorithmic perspectives, and the inclusion of Indigenous communities.

Linguistic and cultural sovereignty, as well as intellectual property rights, were major concerns. Solutions being developed to address these challenges include collaborative digital documentation projects that involve indigenous communities to ensure cultural significance and authenticity, as well as legal protections of indigenous intellectual property to prevent cultural appropriation and misuse of traditional knowledge.

The forum recognised the need to continue the dialogue for creating appropriate tools and protocols for Indigenous communities in the context of AI and language technologies. Participants envisioned a future with inclusive technologies like search engines, voice agents, and automatic translation devices in Indigenous languages, allowing communities to develop their own applications without relying on large companies.

Proposals for technological development based on Indigenous autonomy included creating intercultural networks, technological cooperatives, and technological sovereignty with their own programming languages. Actions suggested by participants included strengthening digital activists' networks, promoting technological autonomy, safe use of AI and data sovereignty, promoting legislative proposals and campaigns for ethical AI use, and developing collaborative workshops for recommendations tailored to Indigenous contexts.

Central topics of discussion included copyright, environmental impact, collective rights, cultural heritage, and monitoring of the extraction of ancestral knowledge. Katia González expressed concern about the environmental impact of AI requirements. The event was supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Embassy of Canada in Mexico, and the Wikimedia Foundation.

The Lakota AI Code Camp, IndigiGenius, and FLAIR were also mentioned, with a focus on empowering communities through culturally and linguistically sensitive technological tools. The forum was seen as a starting point for a community-based, participatory strategy with tangible impact.

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