The French telecommunications company is looking to bridge the digital divide by creating open-source AI models that can support local communities across its 18 African markets, as detailed in a press release issued on Nov. 26.
The initiative, set to begin in the first half of 2025, will initially focus on languages spoken by millions in West Africa — Wolof (16 million speakers) and Pulaar (6 million speakers). Orange’s long-term goal is to develop AI models that can recognize languages across all regions where the company operates.
By fine-tuning existing models like OpenAI’s Whisper and Meta’s Llama, Orange hopes to create AI tools that can provide customer support, educational resources, and public health information in local languages.
The company emphasizes its commitment to “Responsible AI,” focusing on using the most appropriate and simplest technological solutions.
The partnership also includes a separate agreement giving Orange direct access to OpenAI’s models, with data processing hosted in European data centers. This will enable the company to develop advanced AI-based voice interactions and other innovative services.
Orange’s initiative addresses a critical challenge in digital inclusion, aiming to make AI technologies accessible to populations currently excluded from technological advancements, including illiterate communities.
The project demonstrates how telecommunications companies like Orange can leverage AI to support linguistic diversity and expand technological access in emerging markets.
