A recent discussion at the digital rights conference RightsCon in Taiwan revealed growing concerns among civil society organizations about the future of global digital rights funding, particularly following a notable retraction of support from the United States government. Many have noted a shift in American tech companies’ willingness to engage with communities outside their primary user bases.
Policymakers in Europe are now contemplating the development of homegrown alternatives to US technology, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). With increasing recognition of the inadequacies of US-based AI models, voices like Brazilian law professor Yasmin Curzi suggest that reliance on American platforms can no longer be assumed: ‘Since Trump’s second administration, we cannot count on American social media platforms to do even the bare minimum anymore.’
Failures in content moderation systems illustrate these shortcomings, as emerging technologies struggle to address issues like gender-based violence across diverse global contexts. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, there is a pressing need for models that accurately reflect local languages and cultural nuances.
Experts like Marlena Wisniak are advocating for community-driven AI approaches which prioritize local languages and customs. ‘The LLMs are moderated poorly, and the poorly moderated LLMs are then also used to moderate other content,’ Wisniak emphasizes, highlighting a cyclical issue that exacerbates existing problems.
Innovations such as the development of smaller language models tailored for local contexts are emerging as viable alternatives. The recent Paris AI Summit showcased considerable interest in ‘sovereign AI’ initiatives—essentially, efforts to create AI technologies independent of US influence. AI sovereignty forms part of a broader push for tech sovereignty, asserting the need for localized digital infrastructures.
Financial Secretary of Hong Kong, Paul Chan, asserts that AI is shaping not only the economy but also future geopolitical dynamics. ‘Artificial intelligence is the future,’ he stated at a recent summit, indicating a significant commitment to fostering innovation in technology.
This surge towards local technological advancement underscores a critical sentiment: the global community is increasingly inclined to question the current tech paradigm and explore avenues that align more closely with regional needs and cultural contexts.
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