Large Language Models for Small Language Communities

LONDON—Much has been said about AI’s security and military risks. But the cultural and economic threats posed by large language models (LLMs) trained on a limited number of languages and owned by a handful of multinational companies have been largely overlooked. The market dominance of these LLMs leaves developing countries with minority languages at a distinct disadvantage.

Ever since OpenAI released ChatGPT in November 2022, industry leaders and policymakers have touted AI’s potential to improve society by revolutionizing health care and education, as well as by driving productivity growth and income gains. But these benefits are not equally shared.