Meta, OpenAI partner with Orange to train AI models on African languages

Meta (NASDAQ:META) and Microsoft-backed (NASDAQ:MSFT) OpenAI have partnered with France-based telecom company Orange (OTC:ORANY) to train artificial intelligence models in African languages.

The partnership shows how the reach of AI continues to grow as the plan targets two West African regional languages, Wolof and Pulaar, which are spoken by approximately 22M people. Orange plans to release these models in 2025 and eventually have AI models that cover all 18 countries in West Africa.

“We’re operating in West African countries where a lot of these regional languages are being spoken in our contact centers, but where the current AI models don’t understand what these people are typing or saying,” said Orange chief AI officer Steve Jarrett to CNBC.

Orange’s mobile network business operates in Africa, and these smaller AI models built on native languages are expected to improve areas such as customer service. The smaller AI models also use less electricity.

“We continue to strengthen our collaborations with tech giants including OpenAI, Google (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT), and Meta, to ensure we remain at the forefront of innovation, while tailoring our solutions to our customers’ specific needs,” Orange said.