CHIA-Affiliated Academics Release Study on Inequalities in Language AI and Open-Access Readiness Index

25 February 2026

Earlier this month, academics led by CHIA-affiliated Research Associate Giulia Occhini released results from a new study analysing how language AI spreads across the world’s languages. Despite AI systems being described as multilingual, of the world’s 7,000+ languages, only a fraction participate in today’s AI ecosystem. The EQUATE (Towards Globally Equitable Language Technologies) project examines global inequalities in language AI.

The study’s results showed a striking pattern. Unlike technologies like mobile phones and the internet, which diffused gradually, AI expands in rapid, hype-driven surges. Resources cluster around a small group of “winner” languages while most linguistic communities remain marginalised. The gap is widening rather than closing.

For example, the study found that while 597 languages in Africa and Asia have solid data foundations, fewer than 3 AI models exist for each. Researchers concluded that readiness doesn’t match up with current AI coverage — many languages have the foundations for AI but lack targeted investment often because they are not considered “prestigious” varieties.

Alongside the study, EQUATE project researchers released a new open-access resource called The World Readiness Index of Language AI. The Index enables researchers, developers, funders and policymakers to assess the technological, socioeconomic and infrastructural readiness of all attested languages — helping identify underutilised capacity and make more informed, evidence-based decisions about where AI can have the greatest impact.

As LLM-powered systems become embedded in digital systems worldwide, language inclusion increasingly shapes access to healthcare, education, public services and economic opportunity. The choices made now will determine whether AI reinforces existing global hierarchies — or whether we deliberately steer it toward a more linguistically inclusive digital future.

The EQUATE project is based at the Language Technology Lab at the University of Cambridge, run by CHIA Director Anna Korhonen.