A delegation of the Federal Union of Journalists (Workers) and the Hyderabad Union of Journalists (Workers) conducted a study visit to the Abdul Majid Bhurgri Institute of Language Engineering (AMBILE) in Hyderabad.
During the visit, Project Director of the institute and renowned linguist, author and Sindhi language expert Amar Fayaz Burero gave a detailed briefing on efforts to integrate the Sindhi language into artificial intelligence systems. He emphasised that preserving and promoting the Sindhi language requires transferring its historic literary heritage into the realm of AI. The delegation included PFUJ (Workers) Senior Vice President Nasir Shaikh, FEC member Imran Patoli, HUJ (Workers) Treasurer Aftab Rind alongwith journalists Azmat Kumbhar, Adeel Abbasi, cameraman Rashid Abbasi, Adil Khan and others.
During the session, Burero explained that the digitisation of Sindhi content was being undertaken through key projects such as Bhitaipedia, which includes the poetry and works of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. He added the words and writings of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai were being translated into many languages, in addition to which the writings from Mohenjo-daro were also being digitised.
He further stated that various AI-based applications were also being developed including a Wakeel app, as well as health and education apps, all designed to provide accessible answers to common queries in the Sindhi language.
He said that earlier, conversations used to take place between individuals, while now conversations were taking place through machines. Burero added that we were shifting the Sindhi language to the machine for its survival and promotion.
Burero warned that ancient languages like Sindhi, Seraiki, Punjabi and Dhatki were at risk of extinction if they were not integrated into AI systems. ‘The Abdul Majid Bhurgri Institute (AMBILE) aims to connect these languages to artificial intelligence (AI), ensuring their preservation for future generations,’ he said. He also highlighted that the institute was officially established through an act passed by the Sindh Assembly. The idea was proposed to the Sindh government in 2019, and the institute’s building in Hyderabad was completed in 2021. Since then, work has been progressing on this pioneering project, which is the first of its kind in Pakistan. He also mentioned that school curricula were being digitised using AI, to help children engage with modern technology in their native language. Moreover, all the periods of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s life had been digitised through AI so that the common man can also understand it, he added.
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