At the groundbreaking ceremony of the Google ICT Facility in Natadola, Brian Quigley, Google’s Vice President of Global Network Infrastructure and Chairman of the Pacific Connect Initiative, highlighted the remarkable achievements of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing language accessibility. He announced that this year, Google has successfully utilized AI to train 255 languages to understand Fijian, enabling speakers to access global information in their native tongue.
Quigley emphasized that this significant advancement in Google Translate, which was launched in July, was accomplished entirely without human involvement. He explained that alongside Fijian, languages such as Marshallese, Tongan, and 109 others have also been integrated, underscoring the extensive capabilities of AI technology.
He further outlined three key areas where AI can contribute to the greater good. One of these is advancing scientific research, as illustrated by the launch of Google’s AI system, AlphaFold, which has already benefited over 25,000 scientists in Brazil and was recently recognized at a Nobel Prize event. Furthermore, Quigley discussed AI’s potential impact on addressing climate challenges, mentioning Google’s Flood Hub that can forecast floods up to a week in advance, helping communities prepare effectively.
Quigley concluded by emphasizing the importance of digital infrastructure, which the new facility aims to bolster. This facility is envisioned as a digital connectivity hub for the entire Pacific region, fostering increased access to AI benefits.
This initiative reflects a hopeful future where technology can bridge linguistic barriers and empower communities. With AI at the forefront of enhancing communication and scientific discovery, there is great potential for improved preparedness in the face of climate-related challenges, ultimately benefiting humanity at large.
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