India's Tribal Affairs Ministry has launched 'Adi Vaani,' an AI-powered translation platform designed to preserve tribal languages and empower remote communities.

Adi Vaani aims to bridge communication gaps, support digital empowerment of tribal youth, and improve access to education, healthcare, and governance in tribal regions.

The platform will support numerous tribal languages, many of which are oral traditions, aiding in documentation, cultural preservation, and connecting artisans and entrepreneurs to broader markets.

This initiative is part of larger programs like Digital India and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, emphasizing cultural preservation and inclusive development.

The project is a collaborative effort involving the Central and State Governments, Tribal Research Institutes, and institutions such as IIT Delhi, highlighting the role of technology in safeguarding cultural heritage.

Live demonstrations of real-time translation in Bhili and Gondi were showcased, with community feedback systems integrated into the platform.

Adi Vaani supports real-time text and speech translation between Hindi, English, and tribal languages like Santali, Bhili, Mundari, and Gondi, with Kui and Garo under development, and will be accessible on web, Play Store, and iOS.

Initially, the app will support Santali, Bhili, Mundari, and Gondi, with plans to add Kui and Garo, and will be available on major app stores soon.

Developed through collaborations involving IIT Delhi, BITS Pilani, IIIT Hyderabad, and IIIT Nava Raipur, the platform uses advanced AI tools and community input to protect endangered languages.

The initiative emphasizes low-cost, high-impact solutions for language preservation, ensuring community participation and authentic linguistic data collection.

Adi Vaani aims to digitize folklore, preserve cultural heritage, and support education and healthcare, positioning India as a leader in AI-driven language preservation.

The platform will deliver government schemes, health advisories, and subtitles in tribal languages to promote awareness and inclusive governance.

India has 461 tribal languages as per the 2011 Census, with many at risk of extinction due to lack of documentation, highlighting the importance of this initiative.