https://www.codi.global/newsroom/ensuring-cultural-representation-for-all-la... [Ram Mohan writes] The Coalition on Digital Impact believes the Internet can break down barriers, amplify unheard voices, and fuel global innovation. But we must also recognize a growing inequity becoming more stark in the age of AI: a lack of language representation online and in the technologies shaping our future. That’s why I’m thrilled to announce CODI’s first major research initiative: Defining the Minimum Viable Dataset for Cultural and Linguistic Empowerment. This milestone marks the beginning of our journey to ensure everyone has a seat at the digital table, regardless of language, culture, or geography. ‍*‍* *Why This Initiative, and Why Now? * AI’s benefits are only as inclusive as the data behind them. Yet most of the world’s languages, especially Indigenous, minority, and oral-tradition languages, remain almost invisible in digital systems. To change this trajectory, we need to address the foundational issue: data. That’s where our inaugural research project comes in. CODI is launching a groundbreaking effort: the creation of a Minimum Viable Dataset (MVD) that can serve as a foundation for culturally relevant, ethically sourced, and community-owned digital resources. ‍ *Join Us: Call for Volunteers* We are now forming a Working Group to guide this initiative, and I want to personally invite experts, advocates, and community leaders to get involved. This is an all hands on deck effort, and we are seeking volunteers from a wide range of disciplines, including: - Language and cultural preservation - Applied ethics and digital rights - AI, NLP, and data science - Legal and IP - Community advocacy - Metadata standards, data classification, and data governance This is a volunteer role, but one with real impact. It will help shape a first-of-its-kind global framework to ensure communities thrive in the digital future. Together, this group will define what a culturally relevant dataset looks like, establish ethical standards for data collection and use, and build a foundation that enables multicultural AI development. Want to be a part of it? Submit your *Expression of Interest* via this form <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeql2Rb0WyNtAOb66RTTANBSkAeW-diyyXsNv9pNyjbCqFHqg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=113909869320492397211> before *September 29, 2025*. -- -------------------------------------- Joly MacFie +12185659365 -------------------------------------- -