In a groundbreaking partnership, Sony Research and AI Singapore (AISG) have announced their collaboration on developing the SEA-LION (Southeast Asian Languages In One Network) family of large language models (LLMs). This initiative aims to enhance AI’s ability to accurately process the diverse languages of Southeast Asia, a region known for its linguistic complexity, with over a thousand languages spoken across its population.
The SEA-LION model is set to address a significant gap in current AI technology, which often struggles to perform effectively in multilingual environments. The collaboration will particularly focus on improving AI’s understanding and processing of Tamil, a language spoken by an estimated 60-85 million people worldwide, with a considerable presence in Southeast Asia. Sony Research’s extensive experience with Indian languages, including Tamil, positions the company as a key contributor to the development and testing of these models.
“As a global company, diversity and localisation are vital forces,” said Hiroaki Kitano, President of Sony Research. “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.”
The SEA-LION project represents a significant step towards making AI technologies more inclusive and equitable. According to Kitano, the lack of LLMs that address the global linguistic landscape has been a major barrier to technological development. By creating models that are designed for Southeast Asian languages, Sony Research and AISG hope to expand the accessibility of AI technologies to previously underserved linguistic communities.
Kitano’s ties to Singapore’s technological ecosystem add further strength to the collaboration. He holds positions on several advisory boards and councils, including the Singapore Economic Development Board and the National Research Foundation, providing a solid foundation for the collaboration’s success.
Both Sony Research and AISG are optimistic that this partnership will lead to innovative breakthroughs in multilingual AI, benefiting not only Southeast Asia but the global community.