Google, in partnership with the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), has unveiled a groundbreaking AI Glossary for isiZulu, isiXhosa, and Afrikaans, marking a major step toward linguistic inclusion in the age of artificial intelligence. The initiative empowers millions of South Africans to understand and engage with AI in their own languages, bridging a crucial gap in the digital landscape.
The launch event took place at Google’s South Africa offices in Johannesburg, attended by representatives from PanSALB, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Higher Education, and the SABC, alongside academics, translators, and language experts. A panel discussion explored how African languages can evolve alongside emerging technologies.
The glossary includes 100 standardized AI terms—covering concepts like conversational AI, hallucination, active learning, and noisy data—each translated and adapted to fit the cultural and linguistic context of the three South African languages. It builds upon Google’s earlier Swahili version launched in East Africa and forms part of the company’s broader effort to make digital innovation inclusive for an estimated 266 million speakers across the continent.
“We want everyone to have the words to understand and shape the technologies that are changing the world,”.
said Kabelo Makwane, Google Country Director for South Africa
The glossary was developed collaboratively through workshops and round-table discussions hosted by Google, PanSALB, and Twaweza Communications, bringing together linguists, lexicographers, AI experts, and government representatives. The process ensured not only accurate translations but also standardisation for consistent use across education, research, and technology sectors.
“Our aim is to ensure that South Africa’s languages remain living, relevant, and adaptable. By standardising AI terms, we’re helping to modernise our languages and ensure that their speakers are not excluded from the global digital conversation.”
Lance Schultz, CEO of PanSALB, emphasized the importance of linguistic modernisation:
The AI Glossary is now freely available to the public and will serve as a valuable resource for educators, developers, translators, and policy makers. It represents a vital tool in enabling African communities to not only use AI but also shape its future in their own linguistic and cultural contexts.
Google invites researchers, educators, developers, and language enthusiasts to access the full glossary on GitHub and start using these terms in their work, education, and conversations — a collective effort to bridge the digital divide and make AI truly multilingual.
