AI model Kashmiri GPT helping preserve Kashmiri language one click at a time

Srinagar, Feb 12: Kashmiri GPT, a groundbreaking AI model, by a local developer is doing what tech giants couldn't – preserving the language.

Saqlain Yousuf, a 25-year-old developer preferred modest workspace in his hometown to the gleaming tech corridors of Bengaluru. His mission?  To ensure that Kashmir's mother tongue doesn't lag in the AI revolution.

"When everyone talks about AI democratising knowledge, they forget about languages like ours (Kashmiri)," Saqlain Yousuf said.

"ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini – they all speak dozens of Indian languages, but Kashmiri remained in their blind spot. Someone had to change that."

That change took shape in over five intense months of coding, testing, and refining. Built on OpenAI's API, Kashmiri GPT, which is accessible at kashmirigpt.com, isn't just another translation tool. The AI engages users in conversations about Kashmir's heritage, from the intricate symbolism of Kani shawls to the philosophical depths of Lal Ded's poetry.

The response has been nothing short of phenomenal. Within four hours of its quiet launch, over 1,000 users had already begun conversing with the AI, many awed at hearing their language spoken by a machine.

"It's like someone finally turned on the lights in a room we were about to abandon," said Aijaz Ahmad, who has done PG in Kashmiri.

Currently in its beta phase, the platform accepts input in both Roman Kashmiri and English, making it accessible to younger generations who might struggle with the traditional script.

But Yousuf's ambitions stretch far beyond basic text interactions.

With the active pursuit of funding and partnerships underway, plans are already in the works to add voice recognition and visual processing capabilities.

"Imagine an AI that can not only speak Kashmiri but understand our gestures, recognise our traditional artifacts, and help document our oral histories," Yousuf says. "That's not just technology – it's cultural preservation through innovation."

Kashmiri GPT aims to bridge generational gaps and the project has already caught the attention of language preservation experts and they call it "a master class in using AI for cultural conservation" and suggest it could "serve as a model for other languages.”

At work Saqlain Yousuf fine-tunes responses and adds new cultural references to the AI's knowledge base. "Every day, we lose a few more native speakers," he said. "But maybe, just maybe, we can use tomorrow's technology to save yesterday's voice."

"I am actively seeking funding and partnerships to scale this model further. I envision incorporating voice and vision functionalities to enhance usability,” he noted.