In the video, Catherine Isuan from Ghana discusses the importance of oral storytelling in preserving African culture and languages, highlighting her mission to combat the decline of these languages through the use of artificial intelligence to create and translate stories for children. She emphasizes the need for increased literacy in local languages to foster cultural pride and identity, while also expressing gratitude for the support she received from the Google DeepMind scholarship to pursue her research and goals.
In the video, Catherine Isuan from Ghana shares her personal journey and the significance of oral storytelling in African culture. She emphasizes how these stories, passed down through generations, play a crucial role in preserving traditions, cultural practices, and languages. One of her favorite childhood stories, about Anan the Canon spider, taught her that wisdom should be shared and is not meant to be hoarded. This lesson reflects her broader mission to promote the sharing of knowledge and cultural heritage.
Catherine highlights the alarming decline of African languages, with estimates suggesting there are between 1,000 and 3,000 languages on the continent, many of which are not represented online. She expresses concern over the extinction of these languages and the need to take action to preserve them. Her innovative approach involves using artificial intelligence (AI) to translate existing English stories into various African languages and to create new stories in these languages, thereby enriching the literary landscape for children.
By generating stories for children, Catherine aims to enhance their vocabulary in local languages, which is essential for literacy development. She believes that increasing literacy in African languages will empower children to use these languages in digital spaces, fostering a sense of identity and cultural pride. Her research is driven by the hope that it will lead to greater recognition and preservation of African languages.
Catherine credits the Google DeepMind scholarship for allowing her to focus entirely on her studies and research without the burden of financial concerns. She expresses gratitude for the world-class education and support she has received from educators and facilities, which has been instrumental in her academic journey. This scholarship has provided her with the resources needed to pursue her goals.
Ultimately, Catherine’s vision extends beyond her personal achievements; she aspires to create access to AI tools across Africa to support low-resource languages. She hopes her research will inspire other women and Africans, demonstrating that AI can be a powerful tool for everyone. Through her work, she aims to promote and preserve African languages, ensuring they thrive in the modern world.
