New tool aims to harness the power of AI to combat internet hate against Indigenous people [Video]

A new tool aims to use artificial intelligence to help make the internet a safer place for Indigenous people.

The project was given the name wâsikan kisewâtisiwin, which translates to “kind energy” in Cree.  

“We’re trying to make the internet a kinder place. We’re trying to change the trajectory of the internet towards discriminated people,” Shani Gwin told CBC’s Radio Active.

Gwin is a Métis entrepreneur and founder of pipikwan pêhtâkwan, the Edmonton-based Indigenous communications firm leading the project.

Being developed in collaboration with the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMii), the tool is dual purpose, intended to help both Indigenous people and non-Indigenous Canadians reduce racism, hate speech, and online bias.

The first function of the program is to moderate online spaces like comment sections. While the internet has been a tool used by Indigenous people for advocacy, it also can frequently be an unsafe space for communities that are discriminated against, Gwin said.

Gwin said that all …