Historically, globalization has been driven by technological advancement. In the 16th century, the caravel ship, compass, and astrolabe made it possible for early explorers to navigate the ocean and make contact across continents. In the 19th century, the telegraph allowed instant communication over long distances for the first time. In the 20th century, computers and the internet revolutionized communication, and their impact on globalization is self-evident. Today, artificial intelligence plays an important role in driving cross-cultural communication. Readily available translation tools break down language barriers, and search engines supplemented by AI systems make it easier than ever to find information on a wide variety of topics.
However, as is the case with many emerging technologies, AI’s impact on cultural exchange is not without fault. Although AI has facilitated easier cross-cultural interaction, it can potentially misrepresent or inaccurately simplify diverse cultures. Particularly, Indigenous and lesser-known cultures are at risk due to a general lack of data surrounding them. As a result, people can easily form misconceptions or shallow understandings of these cultures based on this limited information.
Part of the issue stems from how people interact with these tools. It’s undeniably easier to obtain information from an AI chatbot than through traditional search methods. As they continue to evolve and integrate more seamlessly into our daily lives, people have begun to rely increasingly on AI chatbots as convenient sources to quickly understand any topic of interest. However, the danger lies in assuming these tools provide holistically accurate information, especially regarding something as complex as understanding the culture of a different and potentially under-documented community. Meanwhile, the datasets provided to AI tools for training are disproportionately rich in information on Western cultures, making these gaps in understanding less impactful for them. This nuance raises the question of whether or not AI is fostering cultural exchange or unintentionally diluting the identity and traditions of already underrepresented cultures and groups.
These issues highlight the importance of maintaining diversity in developing impactful technology such as AI. From incorporating a wide range of ideas and perspectives among the creators to using varied and inclusive data as the backbone of these systems, diversity is necessary throughout every step of the process. By remaining conscious of who builds these systems and how they’re trained, we can guide AI to support authentic cultural representation rather than diminish it.
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