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When it comes to ‘access’—be that to education, communication, or job opportunities—technology has already made progress in levelling some of the playing fields holding developing nations back. And yet there’s one barrier to achieving true global equity that few are talking about: language.
By this, we mean the fact that success in many of the aforementioned categories remains dependent on individuals across the planet speaking and understanding a handful of the 7,100 languages spoken in the world today. For developing nations, where linguistic diversity is vast and learning resources are often limited, overcoming this barrier is crucial for meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is particularly true of those centered on reducing inequality and ensuring quality education for all, where a child attending school in a language they do not understand is going to have a very different experience of life compared with one whose learning is conducted in their native language, for example.
Where does technology come in? Well, the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in breaking down these linguistic walls is groundbreaking, as highlighted by the AI for Developing Countries Forum (AIFOD), a leading global platform dedicated to advancing inclusive technological progress in developing nations.
Taking place on January 27 and 28 2025 at the United Nations Office in Geneva, their upcoming 2025 AIFOD Winter Summit will focus on “Empowering the South 2030: Forging an AI Future of Inclusive Digital Sovereignty.” This event aims to unite global leaders and innovators to shape a future where AI benefits all of humanity, showcasing cutting-edge AI advancements revolutionizing healthcare, education, and economic growth in developing nations, shaping policies that affect billions worldwide.
And this year, through the addition of KUDO’s CEO, Fardad Zabetian, as a panelist, language is going to play a much bigger role in these discussions. Here’s a snapshot of why language accessibility lies at the core of the KUDO mission:
The Challenge for Developing Nations: Language as a Barrier
Education
Let’s start with the most shocking statistic: according to UNESCO, 40% of the world’s children attend schools where the language of instruction is different from their mother tongue. It goes without saying that this obstacle makes it difficult for them to comprehend lessons and achieve their full academic potential. The disconnect furthermore disproportionately affects marginalized communities, reinforcing cycles of poverty and inequality. For example, a 2016 UNESCO study revealed that children taught in their native language during the early years of education are 30% more likely to grasp foundational literacy and numeracy skills compared to those who are not (UNESCO, 2016).
Economics
In addition to education, language barriers significantly impact economic opportunities. For non-English-speaking professionals, for example, linguistic limitations can restrict access to career advancement, as English dominates global business and technology. Studies show that English proficiency is positively correlated with income levels, with individuals who possess high proficiency earning up to 34% more in some regions (EF English Proficiency Index, 2021). In countries where English is not widely spoken, in contrast, these disparities are magnified, creating barriers for workers and entrepreneurs to compete on an international scale.
Public Services
Language diversity also creates challenges for governments and public services. In linguistically diverse nations such as India, Nigeria, and Papua New Guinea, which collectively are home to over 1,600 distinct languages, providing equal access to legal, healthcare, and administrative resources is an immense challenge. Lack of accessible communication in local languages can result in populations being excluded from vital services. For instance, in healthcare, patients who do not speak the dominant language may struggle to understand medical advice, leading to lower-quality outcomes and higher health disparities.
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurs from non-English-speaking backgrounds face hurdles in accessing global markets also, where the majority of business communication and contracts are conducted in English. A 2022 report by Common Sense Advisory found that 72% of consumers prefer to engage with information in their native language, and companies that invest in multilingual content experience 1.5 times higher revenue growth (CSA Research, 2022). For small business owners in developing countries, lack of access to critical localization tools limit opportunities to scale, participate in e-commerce, and collaborate with international partners.
The Solution: AI-Driven Language Accessibility
Problems on such a large scale can only be solved via the magical formula of technology designed for and by humans—and in this case, we’re talking about creating a world in which every man, woman, and child is empowered to understand and be understood in their own language. In other words, a democratized AI solution is the only thing up to the task.
And that’s precisely why our team created KUDO AI Speech Translator. On-demand translation and captioning solutions can empower both individuals and organizations to communicate seamlessly across languages, breaking barriers in education, the workplace, and beyond:
- Facilitating Equal Access to Education: By providing real-time translation in schools, AI can allow students to learn in their native language, improving comprehension and outcomes. This is especially impactful in regions where linguistic diversity has historically hindered educational progress.
- Creating More Inclusive Workplaces: As we have seen with our own clients, international organizations that leverage AI-powered speech translation are actively fostering inclusive environments for employees and clients. This not only promotes diversity but also enhances productivity and collaboration across global teams, empowering individuals from non-English speaking backgrounds to have the same job opportunities regardless of the language(s) they speak.
- Unlocking Economic Opportunities: Thanks to AI, entrepreneurs in developing nations can now expand their businesses internationally without the limitations of language barriers. Multiple case studies show how AI translation solutions have helped small and medium-sized businesses tap into new markets and expand their revenue.
AI and Language Accessibility: A Vision for the Future
The good news is that we have seen a push for stronger mandates on language accessibility in recent years—policies such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States, which requires reasonable accommodations for individuals with limited English proficiency in public services, or the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) highlighting the intersection of language accessibility and disability rights in a dedicated publication. Across the pond, the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages promotes the use of minority languages in education, media, and administration. Similarly, in Canada, the Official Languages Act ensures the equal status of English and French across federal institutions.
Global consistency and enforcement of these mandates remain a challenge, however, especially in regions with scarce resources and high linguistic diversity. Real progress requires partnerships that drive collective action to address challenges tied to equality, access to justice, education, and economic opportunity. And above all, it requires an easy and accessible solution for organizations public and private to put in place.
AI-driven language solutions offer immense potential to empower marginalized communities, foster economic growth, and create equitable access to knowledge and resources. By transforming global communication, these tools redefine language not as a barrier but as a bridge to opportunity. By making workplaces, classrooms, and communities in developing nations more accessible, these technologies directly contribute to reducing inequality and enhancing educational opportunities in developing nations.
For anyone attending AI for Developing Countries’ 2025 Winter Summit, look out for Fardad Zabetian’s panel discussion on the role of language accessibility on January 28, Session 11: Designing Implementation Mechanisms, at 15:20 – 16:15, in Room XIX of The United Nations Office at Geneva.