"Google's AI Photo App Leverages Crowdsourcing to Help Preserve Endangered Languages"

Google has introduced a groundbreaking initiative to help preserve endangered languages by empowering cultures with AI tools. Woolaroo, an open-source photo translation web app available through Google Arts & Culture on Android and iOS, utilizes machine learning and image recognition to safeguard languages at risk of extinction.

Simply point your phone's camera at an object, and the AI will recognize and describe it in the chosen language, complete with pronunciation assistance.

Woolaroo’s true strength lies in its open-source nature, enabling communities to build their vocabularies on their own terms. Users can contribute words—especially those lacking modern terminology for concepts like "phone" or "computer"—along with their pronunciations. Furthermore, you can easily modify or delete any inaccurate entries, fostering a collaborative language preservation effort.

Currently, the app features 10 languages, including Maori, Yiddish, and Australia's indigenous Yugambeh, with potential for rapid expansion. UNESCO estimates that at least 2,572 of the world's approximately 6,000 languages are endangered. While Woolaroo cannot completely prevent language loss, it offers a vital tool to keep these languages and their rich histories alive.

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