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By: Hamdi Elmi
Hamdi is a running start student interested in learning and fighting for environmental issues and the Indigenous peoples. Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be regarded by some as new or exciting, but for Indigenous Peoples, it often feels like yet another repetition of history. Technology is not simply a tool; it has the potential to become yet another instrument to take from, surveil, and harm Indigenous Peoples when used incorrectly. The question is whether AI will merely repeat the same old harms or whether those harms will be transformed, in ways that really support Indigenous futures and create important solutions and changes. AI systems are never neutral; biased data is used which can form the basis of AI systems, where AI systems reflect the biases of those who are using it. Indigenous communities have already faced surveillance, criminalization, and similar harms related to predictive policing and security practices. Cultural appropriation is yet another risk as AI systems can replicate and appropriate Indigenous designs, songs, and stories without consent. Where sacred knowledge is the premise of “data,” it loses any meaningful relationship with the actual people connecting and creating it. It is important to recognize that although these risks exist, Indigenous communities are already demonstrating the potential for technology to be used positive within Indigenous cultural structures. Language revitalization provides a powerful example. In Canada, FirstVoices is developing digital applications that strengthen Indigenous languages with community control (First Peoples’ Cultural Council, 2020). In Aotearoa, Māori-led Te Hiku Media has developed language learning tools in a culturally appropriate manner to maintain protections on cultural knowledge (Lewis, Arista, Pechawis, & Kite, 2021). These show that technology can help indigenous culture when used properly and positively which is important in order to receive the benefits. These initiatives are related to Indigenous data sovereignty, which stand by that Indigenous Peoples have a right to control data about their peoples, lands, and knowledge. The CARE Principles explain that and provide tools for making sure it happens (Carroll, 2020). Rather than using data as something anyone can take, Indigenous data sovereignty treats data as living knowledge that must be cared for and protected. This consideration of data may extend to environmental protections; for example, using digital applications to track illegal logging or measure climate impact by Indigenous rangers. Here technology is utilized as a means to defend land and water rather than exploit. Whoever will have the power to guide will carve the future of technology. For Indigenous Peoples, this can either remain one of the paths of continued violation, or it may turn into a tool for the preservation of languages, culture, and lands. Technology, if ever to be a force for justice, must center on Indigenous sovereignty, respect consent, and follow the leadership of Indigenous organizations. The Indigenous communities have been leading for the last many years, and now it is up to the world: will it respect and join them, or will it continue to keep colonial modes alive in digital forms? These are important questions that will help think of the future and how it would look like for indigenous peoples and AI will impact them. References:
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Earth Daughters is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.