Selected
2024 Indigenous Communities Fellowship

wâsikan kisewâtisiwin - using AI for good

wâsikan kisewâtisiwin is an AI system aimed at monitoring internet activity to combat hate speech towards Indigenous People.

Team Leader
Shani Gwin

Solution Pitch

The Problem

Over half of Indigenous Peoples in Canada (16-30) are targeted by hate speech online. Indigenous People are known for under-reporting hate speech and crimes to police. Now AI uses the data online to inform itself about Indigenous People. If AI is designed without Indigenous People, it will harm us.

The Solution

wâsikan kisewâtisiwin is an AI solution designed by Indigenous domain experts which uses advanced natural language processing algorithms, real-time monitoring, and a culturally sensitive approach to identifying bias and racism targeting Indigenous communities. The tool considers the cultural context and historical background of Indigenous communities to detect hidden meaning and implications in text.

Our solution has two approaches. The first is an AI plug-in addressing overt and covert racism on Indigenous users’ social media - it will hide harmful comments and give the option to delete, provide a customizable or canned response, and catalogue comments for easier reporting.

The second is an AI plug-in for non-Indigenous folks that flags bias in written materials, provides explanations and suggests appropriate solutions. It will prompt users to ask Indigenous People when appropriate - specifically around cultural and traditional information. Sacred information will not be provided and Indigenous People must be in the loop.

Stats

The AI solution will combat online hate speech against the 5.5+ million Indigenous people in the United States and Canada

Solution Overview & Team Lead Details
More About Your Solution
Your Team

Organization Type:

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

Headquarters:

Edmonton, Canada

Stage:

Prototype

Working In:

Canada

Current Full-Time Employees:

1

Website:

https://www.wasikankisewatisiwin.ca/

Solution Team:
Shani Gwin
Shani Gwin