Lost in Translation: Building AI for Africa's Languages

In this episode of Embedded, host Zain Verjee speaks with Asme Teka Hadgu, co-founder and CTO of Lesan AI, about the critical challenge of language accessibility in artificial intelligence. Based in Berlin, Lesan AI is pioneering machine translation for Ethiopian languages, notably outperforming tech giants in Amharic and Tigrinya translations. Asme discusses their unique approach to data collection, working directly with communities to preserve linguistic authenticity, and the broader implications of language barriers in AI development. The conversation explores how AI can be leveraged to preserve and revitalize low-resource languages while ensuring ethical development and cultural preservation.

Asme Teka Hadgu

Asme Teka Hadgu is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Lesan AI, a Berlin-based startup revolutionizing machine translation for Ethiopian & African languages. With a background in computer science and a deep commitment to education, Asme leads the development of translation tools that outperform major tech companies in Amharic and Tigrinya translations.