Orange partners with OpenAI to further increase inclusivity for LLMs in Africa

French telecom company Orange has taken a major step towards comprehensive access to AI large-scale language models. The company announced in a press release: “OpenAI and Orange have signed an agreement that provides Orange with direct access to OpenAI’s models. This will allow for the first time in Europe data processing and hosting in European data centers, allowing Orange to work on improvements. Existing solutions across the entire footprint. ” The company is a major player in the European telecommunications sector, but most of its growth comes from its subsidiaries in Africa and the Middle East. So it’s no wonder their collaboration has an African focus. According to the same press release, the company has partnered with both OpenAI and Meta to fine-tune its AI Large-Scale Language Model (LLM) to support languages ​​in Africa, including Wolof and Poulard, the main languages ​​in Senegal and the entire West Africa region. It is said to make it possible to understand the language of

There has been a lot of attention to how LLMs and ‘Gen-AI’ will change the way we live and work, but as long as they are only available in the most common languages, the most vulnerable will be left behind. It will be. In Senegal, where Wolof is more widely spoken than French, access to information and analysis is increasing as farmers can ask questions about their crops and entrepreneurs can receive analytical support for their books by speaking Wolof to ChatGPT. Access is greatly improved.

This inclusive progress is especially important for women. According to the UNESCO Library, the Gender Parity Index (GPI) for literacy rates in sub-Saharan Africa ranges from 0.63 to 0.77, indicating that women’s literacy rates are significantly lower than men’s. In Senegal, 68.4% of men are literate, compared to only 45.4% of women. In Africa, literacy correlates with the ability to speak colonial languages ​​such as French and English.

Big telcos aren’t the only ones focused on training AI to work seamlessly in African languages. Earlier this month, Lingawa, a technology company that helps people in the diaspora learn African native languages, announced a $1.1 million equity raise. Investors including Voltron Capital, WEAV Capital, and MasterCard Foundation participated in this round. In an interview with Techpoint, co-founder and CEO Frank Williams said: The company is starting with Igbo and Yoruba languages, which ChatGPT can already speak, but, like Orange, says its “long-term goal is to work with a number of AI technology providers to ensure that future models speak all African languages.” ”Beyond Orange Lingawa is working towards a more inclusive future for LLMs, large and small, and working to close the digital divide between men and women. I’m here.