Quebec’s Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) is embarking on an ambitious project to establish a comprehensive database that will encompass cultural and governmental content. This initiative aims to train artificial intelligence systems to better appreciate and represent the province’s distinct society, culture, and Indigenous languages. Following a successful feasibility study earlier this year, BAnQ has officially launched the experimental phase of this databank, which will focus on French and Indigenous languages.
Addressing AI Limitations
The motivation behind this project stems from growing concerns about the inadequacy of existing generative AI systems in accurately conveying information related to Quebec’s unique identity. Current AI training datasets often lack sufficient local context, resulting in skewed representations of the province’s culture, economy, and social fabric. “All scenarios are a little bit on the table right now,” remarked Valérie D’Amour, who spearheaded the feasibility study. “We have a lot of ideas and we want to validate the possibilities with cultural stakeholders, as well as with data owners and providers, who will be involved in the discussions.”
BAnQ clarifies that this new platform will not function as a public distribution channel for creative works; instead, access to the data will be strictly monitored. Marie Grégoire, BAnQ’s president and chief executive officer, emphasised the intention to ensure that AI systems more accurately reflect Quebec’s societal landscape. “That means having Quebec references, whether in small models or large models, whether they come from research or from the business community,” she stated.
Learning from Global Examples
Similar ventures have been launched internationally, such as in Sweden, where extensive collections of Nordic-language texts are being curated to support the development of generative AI models for Scandinavian languages. BAnQ plans to initially focus on its own collections before exploring potential contributions from external sources.
This initiative is rooted in a recommendation from a 2024 report by Quebec’s innovation council, which highlighted the significant deficit of data pertaining to Quebec in existing AI training datasets. Destiny Tchéhouali, who holds a research chair in French-language AI and digital technologies, noted the challenges posed by the underrepresentation of Quebec culture in current AI frameworks. He cautioned, “We run the risk of reproducing linguistic biases and cultural biases. And when we also talk about Indigenous peoples, we run an even greater risk of all these biases.”
Protecting Creators’ Rights
As BAnQ moves forward, concerns regarding copyright and the protection of cultural content have emerged within the artistic community. Grégoire countered these apprehensions by asserting that the proposed database could provide artists with greater safeguards compared to the existing landscape. “Right now, it’s a bit like the Wild West,” she explained. “Data is being harvested for free, and that should not be the case.”
The database is envisioned as a centralised platform that would ease the compensation process for creators whose works are utilised, fostering a more sustainable cultural sector. However, some artists express trepidation about the potential repercussions of contributing their work to AI systems. Maxime Harvey, a postdoctoral researcher at the National Institute of Scientific Research, voiced a common concern: “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.”
Future Prospects and Budget
The feasibility study estimates that the platform could be operational by 2029, pending reassessment of the timeline after the experimental phase. The projected budget for the next five years stands at nearly $10.5 million, which includes both operational and capital expenses. To kickstart this endeavour, BAnQ has secured $340,000 from the Quebec government for the feasibility study and an additional $750,000 to support the project’s initial 12-month experimentation phase.
Why it Matters
The establishment of this cultural database represents a significant step towards ensuring that Quebec’s rich cultural heritage is accurately represented in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. By addressing the current gaps in data and providing a structured framework for the use of local content, BAnQ aims to empower creators and safeguard the integrity of Quebec’s unique identity in the digital age. This initiative is not just about improving AI; it’s about preserving and promoting the diverse voices and stories that define Quebec society.
