The Corsican language is rejuvenated thanks to artificial intelligence, which now expresses itself through revolutionary tools such as Liviu and Livia. This innovative project, led by Romain Deceuninck, contributes to the preservation and transmission of the Corsican language by integrating appropriate technological solutions. Based on a local approach, these digital tools aim to enrich the learning experience while strengthening cultural identity.
Artificial intelligence at the service of the Corsican language
The initiative set up by Romain Deceuninck, an entrepreneur and artist based in Calvi, is part of a desire to make artificial intelligence a vector of cultural transmission. LIV, an acronym for “Lingua Intelligente Virtuale”, comes in several entities, including Liviu and Livia, specifically designed to meet the various needs of Corsican speakers. These innovative digital tools are part of a local innovation approach, exploiting the potential offered by new technologies to provide support for learning and daily use of Corsican.
Liviu: a digital assistant for adults
Liviu is designed for adults and aims to be a true digital assistant capable of generating content in Corsican. Users can ask it questions about history, culture, or even request literary creations such as poems. Romain Deceuninck emphasizes the importance of this tool, noting that Liviu is not just a gadget, but a significant advancement for the integration of the Corsican language into daily life. By analyzing the questions asked and responding in the original language, Liviu promotes the practice and common use of Corsican.
Livia: a playful tool for children
In the school context, Livia is designed to simplify the learning of Corsican and adapts to the different levels of students. The goal is to offer a tool that is both modern, playful, and educational, allowing younger learners to get acquainted with the language in all its richness. Romain Deceuninck emphasizes the importance of conveying not only the linguistic foundations but also the accompanying culture, to ensure that the Corsican language is not only learned but also vibrant and dynamic.
International recognition
The LIV project gained international recognition when the team was invited to present its initiative at the LT4ALL conference organized by UNESCO. On this occasion, Romain Deceuninck shared his vision of preserving the Corsican language, attracting the attention of researchers from around the world, convinced of the relevance and coherence of the project. This recognition emphasizes the importance of local innovation and its positive impact on the preservation of regional languages, such as Corsican.
A philosophy of accessibility and community
A fundamental aspect of the LIV project is the desire for this technology to remain a common good for all Corsicans. Romain Deceuninck insists that artificial intelligence should not be privatized but rather managed by the Collectivity of Corsica, under the supervision of a Squadra Lingua. This community of speakers and experts would be responsible for ensuring the ethics of AI use, correcting its errors, and ensuring its evolution. This opposes the trend observed in the use of other artificial intelligences, which often prioritize dominant languages at the expense of minority languages.
AI as a tool for combating digital colonialism
By integrating tools like Liviu and Livia, the LIV project addresses the challenges of digital colonialism, where major language technologies tend to overlook less widespread languages. Generalist artificial intelligences essentially feed on massive volumes of data that favor dominant languages, sidelining those that are less commonly used, like Corsican. Therefore, Deceuninck’s initiative positions itself as a true response to this issue, ensuring that every language has its place and voice in the digital world.
A promising future for the Corsican language
With tools like Liviu and Livia, the Corsican language is equipped with modern means to survive and thrive. By placing speakers at the heart of this project, Romain Deceuninck proves that technology and local culture can coexist harmoniously. This demonstrates that even modest territories, like Corsica, can develop and exploit technological solutions tailored to their specific needs, restoring hope and dynamism to endangered languages. Thanks to these innovations, artificial intelligence proves to be a powerful ally in the service of cultural transmission and linguistic identity.
