Deputy Minister: Regional Languages Must Be Integrated into AI Ecosystem

Deputy Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Atip Latipulhayat stated that regional languages must be integrated into the digital ecosystem involving artificial intelligence (AI) to support their preservation. He noted that technology plays a crucial role in ensuring the continuity of regional languages so they do not become obsolete. “Regional languages must also be included in the AI ecosystem to remain relevant and continue being used by the younger generation,” Atip said in Jakarta on Monday. He emphasised that the development of Large Language Model (LLM)-based technology needs to be optimised so Indonesian regional languages can be widely used in the digital space, from applications to future AI platforms. On the same occasion, Atip stressed that the preservation of regional languages must not be confined to annual ceremonies alone. He said regional languages must genuinely feature in daily life, particularly within educational settings. “If regional languages are only present in books or merely as a subject without being used in daily learning, they will eventually become mere memories,” he said. Therefore, Atip urged for regional languages to be strengthened by using them as the medium of instruction in school education. He described this step as crucial for ensuring the younger generation remains familiar with and proud of using their mother tongue.