UNESCO Unveils the “Global Roadmap for Multilingualism in the Digital Era”: No Language Should Be Left Behind in the Digital Future
As artificial intelligence accelerates and digital technologies continue to expand, UNESCO has sounded the alarm over the risk of thousands of languages being excluded from the online world by unveiling the “Global Roadmap for Multilingualism in the Digital Era.” This strategic document aims to bridge the linguistic divide and ensure equal access for all peoples to educational, health, and employment opportunities in the digital world. |
According to UNESCO, in the age of artificial intelligence, language is no longer merely a means of communication; it is a gateway to accessing knowledge, public services, and social participation. Under these circumstances, the lack of language technologies for many communities means being deprived of opportunities for progress.
Developed within the framework of the global commitment to “Leave No One Behind,” the Global Roadmap for Multilingualism in the Digital Era emphasizes the principle that “No language should be left behind.” The document highlights the development of language technologies, the inclusive design of artificial intelligence systems, and the strengthening of underrepresented languages online. This approach can contribute to achieving social justice and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The roadmap was developed through an extensive global consultation process involving more than 100 responses from 53 countries, representing governments, universities, civil society, language communities, and technology companies. UNESCO has also announced the development of an “Action Plan” to define implementation steps, propose practical measures, and establish mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the document’s implementation.
Through this initiative, UNESCO regards linguistic inclusion not as a choice, but as a fundamental necessity for a fairer future in the digital world—a future in which linguistic diversity will serve as an asset for peace, human dignity, and sustainable development.
