Indonesia is a country with the highest linguistic diversity in the world, where more than 700 regional languages are spread from Sabang to Merauke. Minority languages, especially in the Papua and Aceh regions, face the threat of extinction due to Indonesian language dominance and globalization. However, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology brings new hope as well as challenges for the preservation and evolution of these languages. AI not only serves as a documentation tool, but also as a catalyst that accelerates the revitalization process while fundamentally changing language usage patterns. This phenomenon marks a new chapter in linguistics, in which technology meets a vulnerable cultural heritage. AI technology makes a significant contribution to the preservation of minority languages through documentation and accessibility. In Papua, for example, AI-based projects such as speech recognition and natural language processing (NLP) have helped document hundreds of Papuan languages that were previously only spoken in nature. AI models can transcribe voice recordings, translate between regional languages, and even generate interactive digital dictionaries. In Aceh, AI also supports the revitalization of the Acehnese language through adaptive learning applications that use machine learning to adapt materials to the user’s proficiency level. Text-to-speech and speech-to-text technology allow the younger generation to access folklore, rhymes, and old literature in modern formats. Thus, AI has the potential to reduce the rate of language extinction by creating a permanent and easily accessible digital archive, while also bridging the generational gap between old and young speakers.
In addition to preservation, AI also drives the dynamic evolution of minority languages. Regional languages are now adapting to new vocabulary inputs generated through machine translation and generative AI. Young people in Papua and Aceh are beginning to integrate local languages with technological terms in everyday conversations, creating hybrid variants that are more suited to contemporary life. This process is similar to the evolution of language that occurs naturally, but at a much higher rate. Generative AI such as large language models (LLMs) can generate literary texts or song lyrics in regional languages, thereby encouraging cultural creativity. However, this evolution also carries risks: AI tends to be biased towards majority-language data, so the resulting minority language variants are sometimes inaccurate or lose their distinctive cultural nuance.
However, there are serious challenges in applying AI to minority languages. The limitation of training data is a major problem; many languages in Papua have little digital corpus, so the accuracy of AI models is low and prone to errors. In Aceh, despite better documentation, issues of data privacy and cultural ownership arise when large tech companies collect regional language data. In addition, the dominance of English and Indonesian-based AI has the potential to accelerate language shift rather than preservation. If not managed properly, technology that is supposed to be a savior can actually accelerate linguistic homogenization. Therefore, a community-based approach is needed where native speakers are actively involved in the development of AI models, not just as data objects.
In the future, synergy between AI and efforts to preserve minority languages in Indonesia must be built wisely and inclusively. Governments, academia, and local communities need to collaborate to create ethical AI models that are local, data-driven, and transparent. Training programs for regional linguists to master AI technology are also very important so that preservation does not depend entirely on external parties. From Papua to Aceh, AI can be an empowerment tool if used to reinforce cultural identities rather than replace them. At the end of the day, technology is just a tool; What determines the future of minority languages is the collective commitment of all stakeholders to preserve linguistic diversity as a priceless national treasure.
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