Artificial Intelligence for the Preservation of Native Languages: The Case of Quechua in Peru.

The purpose of this research is to understand the challenges, opportunities, and implications associated with the design and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to preserve the native Quechua language in Peru. To do so, we conducted a theoretical analysis regarding how AI could be applied to protecting Quechua. We also interviewed two Quechua speakers, an expert in the Quechua language, and two experts in language localization and translation. The purpose of the interviews was for the interviewees to express their opinions on the potential design and use of AI tools in the conservation of Quechua; considering the challenges, opportunities, and implications that this would have. The conclusion is that Quechua is one of the vital languages in Peru that helps maintain the social and cultural traditions of the country; it is necessary to maintain this state of vitality through various means. And, although technological projects for its preservation have been undertaken at the state level, these have not had a great impact on the population because the technologies created have not been attractive or dynamic for the dissemination and learning of the Quechua language.