AI and minority languages: Mercator leads PLURILINGMEDIA workshop at University of Malta

The workshop on AI and regional and minority languages brought together 21 participants, including members of PLURILINGMEDIA's ad hoc AI Committee and representatives of its Core Group, and of NPLD and MIDAS.

Discussions focused on the opportunities and challenges that artificial intelligence presents for regional and minority languages, particularly in minority-language media. Participants explored how AI may reinforce existing linguistic inequalities, but also how it could support smaller language communities through translation, transcription and content production.

The workshop also addressed the relevance of existing language policy frameworks, including the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, and how these might respond to developments in AI. It provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on research, policy and practice, and to identify issues for further discussion and collaboration within PLURILINGMEDIA.

Oer PLURILINGMEDIA

PLURILINGMEDIA is a COST Action, an EU-funded network of researchers from across Europe. Its mission is to promote collaboration in research on media in minority and regional languages. PLURILINGMEDIA aims to bridge the gap between academia and media practice, encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue and the sharing of knowledge.

Launched in October 2024, PLURILINGMEDIA brings together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to strengthen and promote the study of media in Europe’s regional and minority languages. By fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue, collaboration and knowledge exchange, the network supports a more vibrant, inclusive, and multilingual European media landscape.

Working Groups

The project has four Working Groups:

WG1. Audience and content-creator habits

Explores audience habits and content creation practices within the context of media plurality and minority languages.

WG2. Legislation and Standards

Examines how laws and standards affect minority and regional languages in the media.

WG3. Language Vitality

Explores how minority media support language vitality through education, revitalization, and everyday use.

WG4. Journalism

Focuses on minority language journalists, their challenges, and builds a network of researchers and professionals in the field.

On behalf of the Mercator European Research Centre for Multilingualism and Language Learning, part of the Fryske Akademy, Jelske Dijkstra, Odille Reitsma and Ydwine Scarse are involved in the PLURILINGMEDIA working groups 2 and 3. Jelske Dijkstra is chair of a special ad-hoc AI committee.

Project objectives

• Strengthening knowledge: We bring together stakeholders to explore audience habits, legislation, language vitality, and journalism.
• Adapting to new trends: We compare how media outlets adapt to changing consumption and content creation trends across generations, focusing on AI advancements.
• Shaping media legislation: We share expertise on international and national media laws, highlighting gaps in legal tools for protecting linguistic diversity.
• Connecting experts and practitioners: We foster collaboration between academics and media professionals to understand the link between language vitality and media presence.
• Supporting journalism: We provide a forum for journalism practitioners and academics to discuss the balance between journalistic practice and the preservation of linguistic diversity.

More information

Please have a look at the PLURILINGMEDIA website.