The Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ), the province’s national library and archives, has initiated an ambitious project aimed at creating a specialised database of cultural and government content. This initiative is designed to address the limitations faced by artificial intelligence systems in accurately representing Quebec’s diverse society, culture, and Indigenous languages. Following a successful feasibility study earlier this year, BAnQ is now entering the experimental phase of its proposed databank, which will primarily feature content in French and Indigenous languages.
Addressing Data Gaps in AI
AI systems have often struggled to provide reliable insights into Quebec’s unique societal landscape, largely due to an insufficient amount of data pertaining to the province. “All scenarios are a little bit on the table right now,” stated Valérie D’Amour, who led the feasibility study. She emphasised the importance of validating the project’s potential with cultural stakeholders and data providers.
BAnQ has made it clear that the forthcoming platform will not serve as a public repository for creative works. Instead, access to the data will be strictly regulated. Marie Grégoire, BAnQ’s president and CEO, reiterated the goal of ensuring AI systems accurately reflect Quebec’s cultural identity. “That means having Quebec references, whether in small models or large models, whether they come from research or from the business community,” she explained.
Learning from Global Initiatives
Similar projects have emerged in other countries, such as Sweden, where large collections of Nordic-language texts are being gathered to enhance generative AI models for Scandinavian languages. BAnQ intends to start with its own collections before considering data from external sources, following recommendations from a 2024 report by Quebec’s innovation council. This report pointed out the scarcity of Quebec-specific data in existing AI training datasets, which has impeded the development of more accurate AI representations.
Destiny Tchéhouali, co-holder of a Quebec-based research chair focused on French-language AI and digital technologies, highlighted the risks of cultural misrepresentation in AI models. He noted that Quebec’s cultural output is significantly underrepresented in current AI datasets, which could perpetuate linguistic and cultural biases. “When we also talk about Indigenous peoples, we run an even greater risk of all these biases,” he warned.
Protecting Creators’ Rights
As BAnQ develops the proposed database, concerns around copyright have surfaced within the cultural sector. However, Grégoire is optimistic that the new platform could offer enhanced protection for creators compared to the current landscape. “Right now, it’s a bit like the Wild West,” she remarked, referring to the unregulated harvesting of data. The proposed database could serve as a centralised gateway, facilitating compensation for creators whose works are utilised by AI systems.
Despite this potential for greater protection, some artists remain apprehensive. Maxime Harvey, a postdoctoral researcher at the National Institute of Scientific Research, expressed concerns that contributing their work to AI training systems could jeopardise their livelihoods. “The main criticism we hear in the field is that, even if artists earn income from it, they are still feeding the beast that will eventually be used to replace contracts they may lose because of AI,” he explained.
Project Timeline and Funding
The feasibility study suggests that the platform could be operational by 2029. However, D’Amour indicated that the timeline would be reassessed following the experimental phase. The project is estimated to require a budget of nearly $10.5 million over five years, covering both operational and capital costs. To support the feasibility study, BAnQ received $340,000 from the Quebec government, alongside an additional $750,000 for the project’s 12-month experimental phase.
Why it Matters
This initiative represents a significant step towards ensuring that artificial intelligence systems are equipped with a more comprehensive understanding of Quebec’s rich cultural tapestry. By developing a dedicated database, BAnQ aims to empower local creators, protect their rights, and foster a more inclusive representation of Quebec’s society within the realm of artificial intelligence. As AI continues to shape various sectors, the outcomes of this project could have far-reaching implications for cultural preservation and representation in the digital age.
