Telugu Language and AI: Opportunities for Growth and Job Creation
Hyderabad: KS Murthy, an IT expert working with a US-based company, believes that the Telugu-speaking states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana should have considered innovative solutions to leverage their linguistic strengths. Telugu, spoken in both states, is the fourth most spoken language in India according to the 2011 census. Globally, the language is growing rapidly, especially in the United States, where reports from the US Census Bureau show that Telugu is among the fastest-growing languages. Around 12 lakh Telugu speakers are concentrated in states like California, Texas, and New Jersey. When accounting for Telugu-speaking populations in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and elsewhere, including abroad, their numbers exceed 10 crore. Murthy suggests that even tapping into a fraction of this linguistic population could create significant opportunities by developing AI-enabled Telugu language applications.
K Jyostna, an AI specialist from Ananthapur who currently works in Bengaluru, highlights the close connection between Telugu and Kannada, calling Kannada a sister language to Telugu. She notes that expanding AI applications for these languages can create substantial job opportunities. With IT serving as a common thread connecting Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, there is immense potential for collaboration that benefits all three states.
Rather than focusing on their differences, Murthy and Jyostna suggest that the Telugu-speaking states should invest in their shared strengths. They propose establishing AI-enabled technology development centers for Telugu language applications, which could serve as common intellectual assets. This approach would allow for the commercial development of language-based technological solutions, which could yield greater returns than traditional financial investments.
Such initiatives, they argue, would also provide widespread benefits by enabling AI-driven government and citizen services (G2C) and fostering connections among people (P2P). Additionally, these efforts would help preserve and modernize Telugu language and culture in a world increasingly shaped by technology. By focusing on these areas, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana could not only create new jobs but also ensure that the Telugu language remains relevant in the digital age.
