Bridging the Digital Divide: One Yoruba Lesson at a Time
Wuraola Oyewusi’s journey from pharmacist to data scientist and AI researcher is a testament to the power of passion and the importance of accessible education. Her innovative approach to teaching complex technological concepts in Yoruba, her native language, is not only demystifying technology for a wider audience but also revitalizing and evolving the language itself.
A Serendipitous Start
Oyewusi's foray into teaching AI in Yoruba began unexpectedly. Fluent in Yoruba and possessing a deep understanding of AI, she created a video explaining AI in Yoruba "on a whim." The video's unexpected popularity sparked an entire YouTube series, now comprising nearly 50 videos covering essential topics like databases, coding, programming, and email. The enthusiastic reception highlighted a significant demand for knowledge presented in a culturally relevant and accessible manner.
Shaping the Future of Tech Education
Oyewusi's impact extends beyond simply translating technical terms. She has meticulously documented her methodology and framework in her paper, "AI Literacy in Low-Resource Languages: Insights from creating AI in Yoruba," presented at the Global AI Cultures Workshop ICLR 2024. This paper emphasizes the critical need for AI literacy, especially in low-resource languages like Yoruba, which boasts approximately 41 million native speakers.
Her work details how she bridged this gap by creating and distributing AI videos in Yoruba on platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter. The 26 videos cover foundational, intermediate, and advanced AI concepts, employing storytelling and easily understandable explanations. Her cost-effective methodology has reached an estimated global audience across 22 countries.
Analysis of YouTube viewing patterns revealed that the 25-44 age group constituted the majority of viewers, and over half of the traffic originated from external sources, demonstrating the potential of cross-platform promotion. Oyewusi's experience proves the feasibility and impact of creating AI literacy content in low-resource languages. It also underscores that accurate interpretation demands both technical expertise in AI and fluency in the target language. Her goal is to provide a framework for others interested in similar endeavors, facilitating replication or adaptation of her approach to different languages and regions. This work also contributes to a broader cultural shift in how people perceive language, technology, and learning.
Preserving and Evolving Cultural Identity
Oyewusi emphasizes that languages must adapt and evolve to survive in the digital age. Her work involves creating new Yoruba words related to AI and technology. The descriptive nature of the Yoruba language, combined with her own deep understanding of technology, allows for the creation of meaningful and contextually relevant terms. This process is not a simple translation task but requires domain expertise, a privilege she possesses as both a researcher and a native speaker.
This is not just about preserving a language; it's about evolving it and giving cultural identity space to thrive in modern contexts. Technology and local heritage can coexist and even strengthen each other.
Language as a Key to Accessibility
Language plays a crucial role in making complex topics more accessible by satisfying curiosity and making concepts relatable. People are inherently curious about technology, regardless of their English proficiency. In an increasingly technological world, understanding how these systems work and how they affect our lives is essential. Even for those proficient in English, learning in one's native tongue can be powerful. Some viewers have even engaged with her work to improve their Yoruba language skills, an unexpected but welcome outcome.
Accessibility goes beyond mere translation; it encompasses comprehension, relatability, and retention. When learners understand concepts in their mother tongue, they internalize them more effectively. Language is a cognitive tool, not just a vessel for content.
Overcoming Challenges
One of the biggest challenges Oyewusi faced was creating new, succinct, meaningful, and contextually appropriate words. Another time-consuming process is adding subtitles to her videos, which requires splicing videos into frames and adding text frame by frame. It can take approximately 40 minutes to subtitle a five-minute video. The process demands a delicate balance between technical precision and linguistic accessibility.
The Rewards of Impact
The most rewarding aspect of her work is seeing learners grasp complex concepts in their native language. It's a unique opportunity to create a valuable resource and witness its impact firsthand. She finds joy in the intergenerational reach of her videos, with people sharing them with parents, grandparents, and young children. The videos have been watched in at least 26 countries, a reach she hasn't even personally achieved through travel.
Future Plans and Continued Innovation
Oyewusi views her work as an ongoing project spanning several years. Her research focuses on AI for language and AI for healthcare. She is also an author and instructor, offering courses on data science, AI, and healthcare analytics.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Oyewusi hopes to inspire the next generation of women in tech and education to master their craft in AI and tech. She encourages them to pursue their passions and leverage AI and tech to achieve their goals.
A Journey of Reinforcement
This journey has reinforced Oyewusi's belief that anyone can pursue their interests and make a significant impact. She is proud to serve an audience that may have been previously excluded, demonstrating that curiosity is not limited to English speakers.
Advice for Aspiring Impact Makers
Oyewusi advises others who want to make a similar impact in their communities to take action. They can use her framework as a starting point. Even if their work doesn't go viral, it can still have a significant impact. She encourages them to start with what they know, where they are, and with clarity, consistency, and care. Documenting the process, learning from feedback, and building gradually are essential.
Recognition and Validation
Oyewusi's work has been featured across various media platforms, cited in academic research, and shared widely on social media. While recognition is appreciated, the most important aspect is that it validates the importance of her work.
Academic Background
Oyewusi holds a degree in Pharmacy from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria, and is currently a doctoral postgraduate researcher in cancer sciences at the University of Manchester, UK. Her research focuses on applying Natural Language Processing to cancer clinical notes. Originally from Ogbomoso in Oyo State, Nigeria, she moved to the United Kingdom as a recipient of the global talent visa for her work in data science, machine learning, and AI. She has worked at institutions such as Imperial College London and Data Science Nigeria.
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