Orange, in partnering with the pioneers of artificial intelligence OpenAI and Meta, is embarking on a bold technological adventure to transform digital accessibility in West Africa. By integrating regional African languages into their AI models, such as Wolof and Pulaar, Orange enables the millions of speakers of these languages to communicate more easily with their customer service. This project, which will be in full swing by 2025, illustrates a true advance in reducing the digital divide and giving a voice to those who have thus far been ignored by current technologies. The initiative aims not only to improve customer interactions but also to enrich innovation through collaboration with local startups and other tech companies.
Orange, in collaboration with OpenAI and Meta, is committed to making its customer service more accessible by integrating native West African languages into its artificial intelligence models. Dialects such as Wolof and Pulaar will be supported for the first time. By offering these models under a free license for non-commercial uses, Orange contributes to greater digital inclusion, thus reducing the digital gap. Thanks to this initiative, millions of people will be able to communicate more effectively with their telecom operator while benefiting from technological innovations in Africa.
Improving Customer Service Accessibility for Native Languages
Orange is innovating in the telecommunications sector by committing to improve access to customer service for users speaking regional languages in West Africa. Through a strategic partnership with technology giants OpenAI and Meta, the company is developing AI models that will understand and process languages such as Wolof and Pulaar, spoken by millions of people in the region. This advancement is crucial for reducing the language barrier and providing each customer with accessible and personalized service, thereby enhancing digital inclusion.
This ambitious deployment project will commence in the first half of 2025. With open-source AI models, a wide range of services will become available in these native languages. Whether for mobile payment, accessing essential information, or resolving technical issues, customer service will now be within the reach of all linguistic communities, without exception. By also considering illiterate populations, Orange ensures that the impact of its innovations benefits everyone.
Partnership with OpenAI and Meta
The collaboration between Orange, OpenAI, and Meta is part of a shared vision to reduce the digital divide in Africa. Together, they are working on adapting and customizing existing AI models, such as OpenAI’s Whisper speech model and Meta’s Llama text model. By giving central importance to regional linguistic examples, these models will enable precise language recognition, thereby promoting the inclusion of all in the expanding digital economy.
Commitment to Responsible AI
Orange is committed to applying a responsible AI policy whenever a new model is developed. This means prioritizing the use of the most recent LLMs only when they are essential; otherwise, opting for simpler and less costly AI solutions. By adopting this approach, they minimize environmental impact and offer accessible solutions. The idea is to make technology financially advantageous and widely available, integrating efforts to promote open-source AI projects in Europe. In this logic, every technological choice is guided by the social impact it may have, ensuring that no one is left behind.
