Sony Research and AI Singapore (AISG) are embarking on a groundbreaking collaboration to enhance the SEA-LION family of large language models (LLMs), aimed at improving AI processing for Southeast Asian languages. SEA-LION, which stands for Southeast Asian Languages In One Network, is designed to tackle the linguistic richness of the region, home to over a thousand distinct languages.
Hiroaki Kitano, President of Sony Research, emphasized the importance of diversity and localization in global AI development. "In Southeast Asia specifically, there are more than a thousand different languages spoken by the citizens of the region. This linguistic diversity underscores the importance of ensuring AI models and tools are designed to support the needs of all populations around the world," Kitano noted.
The partnership will concentrate on testing and refining the SEA-LION model, with a special focus on Tamil, a language spoken by approximately 60-85 million people globally. Sony Research will apply its extensive expertise in Indian languages, including Tamil, and its research in speech generation, content analysis, and recognition to advance the model’s capabilities.
Kitano further explained, "Access to LLMs that address the global landscape of language and culture has been a barrier to driving research and developing new technologies that are representative and equitable for the global populations we serve."
The collaboration benefits from Kitano’s strong connections within the Singaporean tech ecosystem. He serves on several advisory councils and boards in Singapore, including the Advisory Council on the Ethical Use of AI and Data, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), and the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF).
Teo, from AISG, highlighted the potential impact of integrating the SEA-LION model with enhanced Tamil language capabilities. “We are particularly eager to contribute to the testing and refinement of the SEA-LION models for Tamil and other Southeast Asian languages, while also sharing our expertise and best practices in LLM development,” Teo said. “We look forward to seeing how this collaboration will drive innovation in multilingual AI technologies.”
This partnership marks a significant step towards advancing multilingual AI, ensuring that AI technologies can effectively serve the diverse linguistic landscape of Southeast Asia and beyond.
