IFIP President Anthony Wong acted as MC for a recent ACS (Australian Computer Society) event to recognise NAIDOC Week – a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

The webinar on “Generative AI and Indigenous Data: The Australian Perspective” shared insights regarding the intersection of emerging technologies and Indigenous data sovereignty, underscoring the need to integrate Indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems into the development and deployment of AI technologies to ensure cultural sensitivity and ethical use.

“It is also a time for reflection and for the tech sector to consider how it improves the representation of First Nations Australians,” said Mr Wong.

Importance of Indigenous Data Sovereignty

A recurring theme was the need to safeguard Indigenous data from exploitation. Professor Natalie Stoianoff, Director, IP Program, UTS Indigenous Knowledge Forum underscored the legal frameworks required to protect Indigenous cultural heritage, while Tui Raven, Author of the Guidelines for First Nations Collection Description, and co-investigator and cultural advisor for the First Inventors documentary highlighted the spiritual and cultural imperatives of data protection. There was a strong emphasis on the risks associated with data mining, which could potentially expose sensitive cultural information without proper consent and control.

UNESCO’s Role and Multilingualism
Jaco Du Toit, Chief of Section Universal Access to Information, from #UNESCO presented several global instruments and policies that can guide the engagement with Indigenous communities. Notably, he mentioned the 2003 Recommendation on the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Universal Access to Cyberspace. This recommendation is pivotal in fostering the creation and preservation of Indigenous knowledge, particularly in native languages, thereby ensuring that these communities are not mere consumers but active participants in the digital space.

The speakers urged for continued dialogue and collaboration among Indigenous communities, policymakers and technologists to develop ethical AI frameworks that respect and protect Indigenous data.

As a follow-up, participants are invited to engage with UNESCO’s initiatives including the global task force on digital empowerment and Indigenous languages. Your involvement can help shape a future where technology supports and enhances Indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage.

The ACS expressed its gratitude to the entire lineup of speakers for the event:

  • Our esteemed MC, Anthony Wong, President of IFIP, Adjunct Professor at the School of Information and Communication Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology. We would like to extend a special appreciation for Anthony Wong, our past President of ACS, for making this session possible through his relationship with UNESCO.
  • Professor Natalie P. Stoianoff, Director, IP Program, UTS Indigenous Knowledge Forum. [Explore more at the Indigenous Knowledge Forum].
  • Jaco du Toit, Chief of Section Universal Access to Information, UNESCO.
  • Dr Kirsten Thorpe, Associate Professor, Chancellor’s Indigenous Research Fellow, UTS.
  • Tui Raven, Author of the Guidelines for First Nations Collection Description, and co-investigator and cultural advisor for the First Inventors documentary.

You can watch the full recording of the webinar here.