Ontario Tech students propose generative AI platform to preserve Indigenous languages
Student team gains national recognition for their technology-driven ideas to make education more accessible
Since Anupriya Dubey began her studies at Ontario Tech University in 2021, she has been focused on working at the intersection of business and technology, and using STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to create smart, sustainable solutions for the world’s challenges. So when the fourth-year Computer Science student learned about the Design for Change pitch competition hosted by Wilfrid Laurier University, Dubey jumped at the opportunity to form a team.
“The competition challenge was to find ways to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to overcome barriers and improve learning experiences for all students in Canada,” says Dubey. “We focused on the issue of limited Internet access in rural Canada and the urgent need to preserve Indigenous languages using GenAI.”
Joined by Computer Science master’s degree candidate Mosarrat Rumman and fourth-year Technology Management student Nishtha Desai, Dubey and the Ontario Tech team developed EduLine (Education Offline)—an AI-powered education platform designed to function offline.
- EduLine video pitch presentation (from 30:08 to 38:29 in the time code)
In addition to signaling their individual job-readiness, the Ontario Tech team secured a top-5 spot in the Canada-wide competition, out of more than 400 students.
“Our diverse backgrounds allowed us to approach challenges from multiple perspectives,” says Rumman. “We also worked closely with experts at the National Research Council of Canada to refine our ideas.”
“One of our biggest challenges was making AI-powered learning accessible on low-resource devices and offline,” says Desai. “To address this, we proposed a lightweight, efficient AI model that could run without high-end hardware or constant Internet connectivity.”
“We wanted EduLine’s design to address the digital divide, offering educational features on coding and Indigenous language preservation while keeping education accessible,” says Dubey.
Selected judges’ comments
- “Good research to show the access issues in remote and northern areas and the potential loss of opportunities for underserved Indigenous communities.”
- "Your project addresses a critical gap in education and connectivity with a thoughtful and practical solution. The focus on coding education and Indigenous language preservation through offline-capable technology is compelling and aligns perfectly with the challenge.”
- “The way you adapted your research strategy due to ethical considerations shows great sensitivity and adherence to research ethics and integrity.”
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Media contact
Bryan Oliver
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
289.928.3653
bryan.oliver@ontariotechu.ca
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