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The comic strip Inside AI: An Algorithmic Adventure released in Malagasy
The comic strip Inside AI: An Algorithmic Adventure aims at increasing public knowledge on AI, its impacts on human rights and ethical challenges, including on digital divide, algorithmic bias, echo chamber and e-waste. Released in Malagasy, the comic strip brings this important knowledge to the community of Malagasy speakers while at the same time strengthening linguistic diversity online and promoting inclusive digital space.
In Africa, out of approximately 2,000 existing languages, less than 2% has an online presence, hindering millions of ethnic, indigenous and minority language speakers from fully participating and benefiting from digital technologies and ecosystem. The translation process uncovered significant challenges in adapting AI and related digital concepts and terminologies into Malagasy.
AI in Madagascar
The publication of the Malagasy version of "Inside AI" holds particular relevance within the context of Madagascar's Digital Strategic Plan (2023-2028). This national strategy emphasized the critical shortage of skilled technicians, essential for successful digital transformation. In June 2024, the Ministry of Digital Development, Posts, and Telecommunications furthered this agenda by initiating a feasibility study to establish an International Institute of Applied Artificial Intelligence for the Indian Ocean region.
The comic strip will be used to initiate talks with children, students and young adults in Madagascar and will contribute to popularize the efforts made in digital literacy.
As a young woman who developed apps, this initiative is highly necessary. Artificial intelligence remains quite unfamiliar in Madagascar, yet it is a tool that, if properly used, could greatly enhance our daily lives across various domains. Illustrated books have always been the most effective means of explaining concepts, as the visuals themselves give rich information about the message being conveyed.
I firmly believe that this book will also help me gain a better understanding of AI and assist me in refining my ideas and visions for future digital projects. It is truly time for Madagascar to immerse itself in the digital age.
Promoting multilingualism on the digital space
This initiative is in line with UNESCO's mandate to harness emerging technologies for sustainable development, seeking to empower youth with essential knowledge about Artificial Intelligence and its human rights and ethical implications.
The Malagasy translation of Inside AI represents a new step towards increasing access to the ethical and human rights dimension of AI while at the same time strengthening the much-needed linguistic diversity in the digital space. By making AI related concepts and terminologies accessible in Malagasy, the project aims to support the communities whose primary languages are underserved online, and to advance both digital rights and linguistic diversity online.
For more information :
Misako Ito, UNESCO: m.ito@unesco.org
Jay Ralitera, UNESCO: j.ralitera@unesco.org
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