Quebec’s Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) is embarking on an ambitious project to create a comprehensive database aimed at enriching artificial intelligence systems with insights into the province’s unique culture, society, and Indigenous languages. Following a thorough feasibility study, BAnQ has initiated the experimental phase of this innovative databank, which is poised to address the gaps in cultural representation within AI training datasets.
Addressing the Data Deficit
The impetus for this project stems from growing concerns that prominent AI systems frequently lack accurate and relevant information pertaining to Quebec. Valérie D’Amour, who spearheaded the feasibility study, highlighted that “all scenarios are a little bit on the table right now.” She emphasised the importance of collaboration with cultural stakeholders and data providers to explore the project’s possibilities.
Marie Grégoire, CEO of BAnQ, reiterated the initiative’s objective: to ensure that AI systems genuinely reflect the diversity of Quebec’s society. “That means having Quebec references, whether in small models or large models,” she explained. This initiative is particularly timely, as other countries, such as Sweden, have also begun assembling large databases of local languages to enhance their AI capabilities.
Strategic Infrastructure for Cultural Representation
BAnQ plans to kickstart the project by utilising its existing collections before potentially incorporating data from other local sources. The foundation for this initiative was laid out in a 2024 report from Quebec’s innovation council, which underscored the scarcity of Quebec-specific data in AI training sets. Destiny Tchéhouali, a prominent figure in the realm of French-language AI research, pointed out that “Quebec culture remains underrepresented in the corpora currently circulating in the AI world.”
He cautioned that without such a database, there is a substantial risk of perpetuating linguistic and cultural biases, especially regarding Indigenous communities. Tchéhouali views the proposed platform as “strategic infrastructure” essential for establishing protocols on how local content is identified and catalogued within modern AI frameworks.
Navigating Copyright and Artist Concerns
As BAnQ moves forward, the cultural sector is grappling with significant concerns over copyright and fair compensation for creators. Grégoire defended the initiative, suggesting that the proposed database could offer creators more robust protections than the current landscape, which she likened to “the Wild West.” She argued that the platform could function as a centralised system to ensure artists receive fair remuneration for their contributions.
However, artists remain apprehensive. Maxime Harvey, a postdoctoral researcher, expressed a prevalent worry that while artists might earn income from their work being used in AI training, they could inadvertently be paving the way for AI systems to supplant their roles in the future. “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,” Harvey noted.
A Vision for the Future
The feasibility study outlines a vision for the database to be operational by 2029, although D’Amour indicated that this timeline will be reassessed post-experimental phase. The estimated budget for the next five years is nearly $10.5 million, encompassing both operational and capital costs. BAnQ has already secured $340,000 from the Quebec government for the study, along with an additional $750,000 to support the 12-month experimentation phase.
Why it Matters
The initiative by BAnQ represents a crucial step towards ensuring that Quebec’s rich cultural tapestry is accurately represented in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence. By building a database that prioritises local perspectives and languages, Quebec aims to not only safeguard its cultural identity but also to influence the development of AI in a manner that respects and reflects its diverse communities. The outcome of this project could redefine how AI interacts with local cultures, potentially setting a precedent for similar initiatives globally.