'Māori data in Māori hands': Experts want Google to adhere to data sovereignty principles
Māori tech experts are calling for Google to adhere to data sovereignty principles following a partnership to develop a te reo Māori text-to-speech model. Experts argue that data generated from indigenous languages must remain under the guardianship of Māori entities rather than government or corporate bodies.
Why it matters
The debate highlights the growing tension between global tech companies and indigenous communities regarding the ownership and ethical use of cultural data.
Māori tech experts have renewed calls to adhere to Māori data sovereignty principles after a first of its kind partnership with tech giant Google.
In July, Google and Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission) launched an AI-powered text-to-speech (TTS) model for Google Maps that could correctly pronounce cities and towns with te reo Māori names .
In a statement Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori said all Māori data from the model was placed under the kaitiakitanga of Te Taura Whiri.
"Google has a license to use this data for the purposes of this text-to-speech model. The long-term view remains to establish a consortium of interested groups as long term kaitiakitanga.
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