Across the world, there are about 6,700 languages. But sadly, 40% of these languages are in danger of disappearing, especially Indigenous (tribal) languages. These are the native languages spoken by tribal or First Nations communities.

Many of these languages are not written down. They are passed from generation to generation by speaking. But now, in many places, only a few elders (old people) speak them. If those elders pass away without teaching anyone, the language could be lost forever.

Who is Skobot?

Skobot is a small robot. It’s made to help people learn and speak Indigenous languages like Anishinaabemowin (a Native American language).

Skobot was created by Danielle Boyer, an Indigenous educator and engineer. It’s a fun, friendly robot that sits on your shoulder and helps you practice speaking the language. It uses children’s voices and motion sensors to create a playful learning experience.

Why do we need robots for languages?

Learning a language can be hard — especially when:

• There are only a few people left who speak it
• You feel shy or scared to make mistakes
• You live far away from other speakers
• There is no internet to learn online

That’s where AI tools like Skobot come in.

They help learners:

• Practice speaking without fear of being judged
• Learn at their own pace
• Use the language in everyday life
• Stay connected to their culture and heritage

What is FLAIR?

FLAIR is another project from Montreal, Canada. It creates portable learning kits (small devices) that teach Indigenous languages using AI. These kits:

• Work even without the internet
• Can be customized for different languages
• Are small and easy to carry

This is helpful in remote villages or areas where internet and schools are not easily available.

But there’s a problem…

Not all AI systems are helpful.

Popular tools like ChatGPT or Google Translate can:

• Give wrong translations
• Make up fake tribal stories
• Use language data without permission

This can hurt the communities who own those languages. Some even had their sacred stories recorded without consent. There was even a lawsuit by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe for using their language without permission.

That’s why Indigenous communities are saying:

“If you want to use our language, ask us first.”

What makes Skobot and FLAIR special?

They are community-led projects. That means:

• The tribal people are in control
• They decide how the language is used
• They can remove their data at any time
• The focus is on respect, not just technology

Why saving a language matters

When a community loses its language, it also loses:

• Its culture
• Its history
• Its identity

But when they keep it alive:

• People feel more connected
• It improves mental health
• It can reduce problems like teen suicide

So, saving a language saves lives and cultures too.

Can AI replace real teachers?

No. AI is just a helper.
The real heroes are the elders, teachers, and native speakers. AI tools like Skobot are there to support them, not replace them.

These tools are best used as bridges — to connect learners with the language and culture, especially when there are very few speakers left.