Indigenous Rights and Ethical AI Key to Africa’s Sustainable Future – Dr Dampha

By JarraNews Staff Writer

Banjul, 9 August 2025 The Executive Director of the Pan-African Centre for Cultures and Languages, Dr Lang Fafa Dampha, has urged urgent action to protect Indigenous languages, cultures, and rights, calling them essential to Africa’s and the world’s sustainability. Speaking on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, themed “Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures”, Dr Dampha described Indigenous communities as “custodians of cultures and languages that carry the keys to sustainable living.” He noted they comprise up to 500 million people globally, occupying 22% of the Earth’s land and representing most of the planet’s 7,000 languages and 5,000 cultures. He warned of growing threats, including land dispossession, economic exclusion, and the erosion of heritage. “Every time a language dies, we lose a way of seeing the world,” he said. On artificial intelligence, Dr Dampha highlighted its potential to revitalise endangered languages and connect Indigenous youth, but cautioned against risks such as misrepresentation, cultural appropriation, and environmental damage from AI infrastructure. The Centre’s strategy rests on three pillars: Cultural and linguistic rights – supporting communities to preserve and pass on their heritage. Data sovereignty and ethical innovation – ensuring control over cultural and linguistic data. Inclusive participation – involving Indigenous peoples in decisions on land, climate, technology, and development. Dr Dampha stressed that traditional knowledge can restore ecosystems, guide sustainable consumption, and strengthen social cohesion. He called for governments and partners to go beyond symbolic gestures by funding initiatives, enforcing protections, and amplifying Indigenous voices. “In defending Indigenous rights, we defend justice; in safeguarding Indigenous languages, we preserve humanity’s wisdom,” he concluded.