Bandung, IndonesiaSentinel.com — In its 2024 edition of the TIME100 Most Influential People in Artificial Intelligence, Time Magazine has recognized Endang Aminudin Aziz, Head of the Agency for Language Development and Cultivation under Indonesia’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbud). Endang is the only Indonesian featured on the list, honored for his pioneering role in preserving more than 700 regional languages spoken across the archipelago.
Preserving Indonesia’s Linguistic Heritage
TIME highlighted Endang Aminudin Aziz significant contributions to the daunting task of safeguarding Indonesia’s linguistic diversity, noting that many of the local languages are under-documented and at risk of disappearing. Only a small fraction of these languages have written scripts or sufficient documentation, presenting a challenge for preservation efforts. Without adequate resources to record and sustain them, these languages face the threat of extinction.
To overcome this challenge, Endang has turned to the power of Large Language Models (LLMs), a cutting-edge form of AI designed to understand, process, and generate human language. By harnessing this technology, he and his team are developing innovative tools to detect the vitality of local languages in various communities, ensuring that even the most obscure dialects can be digitally preserved.
“Indonesia’s linguistic diversity is one of the nation’s most valuable cultural assets,” Endang stated. “Through AI, we hope to document and maintain these languages for future generations.”
Leveraging AI for Language Documentation
The use of LLMs in preserving endangered languages is groundbreaking. These models are trained on vast amounts of textual data, making it possible to capture the nuances of languages that have little to no written record. By analyzing spoken data and generating scripts, LLMs can create digital representations of languages, which can then be stored and shared for research, education, and cultural preservation.
Endang’s team is also using AI to analyze how local languages are spoken across different regions, providing insights into language vitality. With this data, they can identify languages that are at risk of becoming obsolete and prioritize them for documentation and revitalization efforts.
One Year After the Rempang Tragedy, Community’s Struggle to Preserve Its Heritage
However, the project is not without challenges. One of the biggest obstacles is the lack of comprehensive language data. Many of Indonesia’s regional languages are primarily spoken, with no established written forms. This limits the amount of data that can be fed into LLMs, requiring creative solutions to capture the full spectrum of linguistic diversity.
Endang has called on technology companies and research institutions to collaborate with the government in these preservation efforts. “Preserving these languages is not only a cultural responsibility but also an opportunity for tech companies to engage in meaningful work that bridges innovation with heritage,” he said.
Indonesia’s Rich Linguistic Landscape
Indonesia is home to over 700 languages, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. However, many of these languages are spoken by only small communities, and their continued survival is uncertain. According to UNESCO, approximately 140 Indonesian languages are currently endangered, underscoring the urgency of documentation and preservation efforts.
Among the islands, regions like Papua, Sulawesi, and Maluku boast the highest levels of linguistic diversity. In some cases, neighboring villages may speak entirely different languages, reflecting the deep-rooted cultural and historical variations across the country.
While Bahasa Indonesia serves as the national language, many Indonesians still speak their regional language at home or within their community. However, the pressures of modernization, urbanization, and a preference for national or global languages are leading to a decline in the use of these local tongues, especially among younger generations.
A Lifelong Commitment to Language Preservation
Endang Aminudin Aziz dedication to Indonesia’s linguistic diversity extends beyond AI. Holding a bachelor’s degree in English Education from the Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, and both a master’s and Ph.D. in Linguistics from Monash University, Australia, he has spent decades working in linguistics and education. He has served as Head of the Agency for Language Development and Cultivation since May 2020, following his tenure as Educational and Cultural Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in London from 2016 to 2020.
As Indonesia continues to embrace digital transformation, Endang’s vision of combining AI with language preservation represents a forward-thinking approach to one of the country’s most pressing cultural challenges. His inclusion in TIME’s prestigious list underscores not only the importance of his work but also the potential for AI to transform how we preserve and celebrate cultural heritage around the world.
(Raidi/Agung)
