FORUM: “Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures.” International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples 2025. While Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support cultural revitalization, youth empowerment, and even adaptation to climate chance, it often reinforces bias, exclusion, and misrepresentation towards Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous Peoples continue to face barriers to accessing new technologies, as recognized through the World Summit of the Information Society process, especially in rural areas, widening digital divides. Yet, Artificial Intelligence (AI) also holds potential opportunities for Indigenous Peoples. When developed inclusively and ethically, AI can support language revitalization and enhance cultural preservation. For example, AI-driven tools can help document endangered Indigenous languages, contributing to their revitalization and preservation for future generations. Most AI systems are built without Indigenous input, risking the misuse of their data, knowledge, and identities. Besides, massive data centers can also impact Indigenous lands, resources, and ecosystems. This is a new issue added to the barriers to accessing new technologies, especially in rural areas, excluding Indigenous from full participation in AI-related processes. To unlock AI’s full potential, Indigenous Peoples must be respected as rights-holders, co-creators, and decision-makers. Meaningful inclusion, data sovereignty, and culturally grounded innovation are key to ensuring AI empowers their communities. The upcoming International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples will put a spotlight on this through its theme, Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures. Let’s leave no one behind. Spread the word and Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #IndigenousPeoples, #9August, #WeareIndigenous, #IndigenouspeoplesDay.
EVENTS: On August 8th, 2025 from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. EDT, New York time at United Nations Headquarters. The virtual commemoration will take place online. It will include an opening segment and statement from the Chair of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. A moderated panel with invited speakers will discuss how Indigenous Peoples rights can be ensured in the age of AI, and consider the associated challenges and opportunities Indigenous Peoples face. Indigenous Peoples, Member States, UN entities, civil society, and the public are all invited to attend. Interpretation will be available between English and Spanish, kindly provided by FILAC.Join us to mark the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples 2025 to debate on the theme, Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures. Register for this online event!
From April 21st to May 2nd 2025 at the United Nations Headquarters was held the 24th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the theme of the 24th Session was "Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within United Nations Member States and the United Nations system, including identifying good practices and addressing challenges". The session was organized by Aluki Kotierk, newly elected Chair and Mr. Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. Learn more.
PUBLICATIONS: It is essential that Indigenous Peoples play an active role in shaping the future of AI. The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues recognized this in its recommendations from the 24th session in 2025, highlighting the importance of meaningful inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in AI development, governance and application. Read the UNDESA publication ”Ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ rights in the age of AI.“
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a 2024 resolution emphasizing that human rights and fundamental freedoms must be respected, protected and promoted throughout the life cycle of artificial intelligence systems. Respecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights, data sovereignty, and promoting Indigenous-led innovation are key to realizing the positive potential of AI and avoiding perpetuating harm.
Inteligencia artificial centrada en los pueblos indígenas: perspectivas desde América Latina y el Caribe. Read the UNESCO Publication.
Statement by the United Nations Secretary-General on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2025; August 9th.
Indigenous Peoples are guardians of ancient knowledge, defenders of cultural heritage, stewards of biodiversity, and essential to our shared future.
This year’s theme focuses on the risks and rewards of Artificial Intelligence for Indigenous Peoples.
AI can help preserve endangered languages and oral histories, map ancestral lands, and amplify Indigenous wisdom to fight climate change.
But without the meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples, these same technologies risk perpetuating old patterns of exclusion, misrepresenting cultures, and violating fundamental rights.
We must ensure AI is developed and governed in ways that are inclusive, ethical, and just.
That means removing barriers to new technologies for Indigenous Peoples, protecting their data sovereignty and intellectual property rights, and supporting their meaningful inclusion in the application of AI.
On this important day, let’s build a future where technology supports cultural preservation and Indigenous knowledge, protects rights and advances dignity – for today and generations to come.
António Guterres; United Nations Secretary-General.
Story of Maekiaphan, a Taino woman from the U.S. Virgin Islands, on her journey to reclaim her Taino heritage.
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