Aboriginal peoples highlights the risk and opportunities of AI

It is estimated that 476 million indigenous peoples live in 90 countries, representing 5,000 different cultures.

Without appropriate guarantees, AI risks harming indigenous rights thanks to an inequitable distribution of revolutionary technology, environmental damage and the strengthening of damaged colonial inheritances.

The growing quantity of electricity production necessary for AI data centers and other infrastructures also intensifies the pressures of climate change, according to the UN.

When located near the land of indigenous peoples, AI data sites can exacerbate environmental degradation, negatively affecting the ecosystems on which they depend.

In addition, AI decisions are often made by governments and large technological companies excluding any consultation with Aboriginal peoples. This meant that indigenous language, knowledge and culture are regularly included in AI data sets without consent, perpetuating the appropriation and distorting models of indigenous peoples.

Despite challenges and risks, AI also presents new opportunities. Around the world, Aboriginal peoples have explored the use of AI, using it as a tool to preserve intergenerational knowledge, empower young people and preserve culture, language and identity.

The guarantees and innovations of indigenous peoples in the field of AI are at the center of the International Day of Aboriginal Peoples of this year, as well as recipients of the Equator Prize.

Ecuador Price 2025

To commemorate the day, the United Nations Development Program (Predict) announced the ten community organizations led by natives who will be recipient of the 2025 Equator price.

This prize pays tribute to the solutions based on the environment led by indigenous peoples who promote sustainable development, the winners demonstrating the theme of this year prize, “Nature for Climate Action”.

The winners will receive $ 10,000, will be honored at an online ceremony of a high level later this year and could join world events, including the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, COP30, which takes place in Brazil later this year.

Recipient

The recipients of Latin America include cooperativa of Mujeres Artesanas del Gran Chaco (Comar) in Argentina, Associação uasei dos povos Indígenas de Oiapoque (Uasei) in Brazil, the Hakhu Amazon Foundation in Ecuador and the first zone of Agrobiodiversity in Péru.

Comar Supports Aboriginal women through Matriarca, a brand transforming traditional crafts into sustainable products. Uase promotes a bioeconomy led by natives around native Aça Hakhu Defends the Ecuadorian Amazon and indigenous rights by advocacy, decolonial education and the basic media.

In India, Bibifathima Swa Sahaya Supports farmers in the village through multiple crops, seed banks and a solar energy transformation – combining traditional knowledge with regenerative agriculture and renewable energies.

In Indonesia, MITRA BUMMA Supports community companies protecting 100,000 hectares of tropical forest while stimulating local economies and governance. THE Ranu Wellum Foundation Skilled the indigenous communities of Dayak by the conservation of forests and cultural preservation.

In Papua New Guinea, Sea Women of Melanesia Inc. Authorizes women to direct marine conservation by combining traditional knowledge with modern science.

And in Africa, Nature and people like a In Kenyaempers, pastoral communities to restore dry land using traditional knowledge and affordable restoration methods, and Sustainable ocean alliance Tanzania Restore marine ecosystems thanks to sustainable algae agriculture and authorizes coastal communities.

“On this important day, The winners of the 2025 Equator price are a reminder of the importance of honoring and recognizing the vision and leadership of the Aboriginal peoples and local communities“Said Marcos Neto, deputy secretary general of the UN and director of the UNDP office for the support of policies and the program.