- Silo AI launches Viking, a suite of Language Model Families (LLMs) for Nordic languages, aiming to preserve Europe’s linguistic diversity.
- Viking includes Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, and Swedish languages, addressing the scarcity of linguistic data for these languages.
- The initiative bridges gaps in digital communication and promotes digital inclusivity across the Nordic region.
- Silo AI’s Viking models excel in low-resource Nordic languages while maintaining proficiency in high-resource English.
- These models have extensive applications in content creation, translation, research, programming, and public sector services like education and healthcare.
- Expansion plans include incorporating all official EU languages into Silo AI’s model family.
Main AI News:
In a significant stride towards preserving Europe’s linguistic heritage amidst the AI revolution, Silo AI, a Finnish startup, has unveiled a new set of Language Model Families (LLMs) dedicated to Nordic languages. Aptly dubbed “Viking,” this model ensemble represents the brainchild of Silo AI, renowned for housing Europe’s largest private AI lab, and is committed to upholding the continent’s digital sovereignty.
The Viking initiative represents the latest endeavor in this mission. By incorporating Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, and Swedish languages into their open-source models, Silo AI endeavors to promote digital inclusivity across the region.
Peter Sarlin, CEO, and co-founder of the startup, envisions the LLMs as crucial tools to “bridge gaps” in digital communication. “We aspire to accommodate the intricacies of these low-resource languages, ensuring that LLMs resonate with the values and heritage of the Nordic populace,” Sarlin expressed to TNW.
The significance of this endeavor is underscored by the low-resource status of the five Viking languages, which lack sufficient linguistic data required for training high-performance LLMs. This deficiency poses a threat to their digital presence, potentially impacting access to essential services, from machine translation to personalized healthcare, and impeding businesses’ ability to tap into these markets. Moreover, as AI permeates various facets of society, the erosion of linguistic diversity and cultural legacy looms large.
Silo AI’s strategy to address this predicament revolves around a Euro-centric approach. Nordic languages serve as a linchpin in safeguarding Europe’s digital sovereignty.
Pioneering the Concept of Digital Sovereignty Through Nordic Languages
Prior to the Viking initiative, Silo AI garnered acclaim for Poro, an open model catering to English, Finnish, and programming languages. Viking represents a significant expansion of their repertoire. Crafted to excel in low-resource Nordic languages while maintaining proficiency in high-resource English, this suite of models promises unparalleled competence, according to Silo AI’s evaluations.
Furthermore, tests indicate that Viking’s English capabilities rival those of other open models like Mistral and Meta’s Llama. Notably, Viking’s prowess extends beyond language processing to encompass multilingual tasks and coding, offering a myriad of potential applications, as highlighted by Sarlin.
From content creation and translation to research and programming assistance, the versatility of Poro and Viking is virtually boundless. These models are particularly suited for public sector services such as education and healthcare, where linguistic precision and cultural sensitivity are paramount.
By leveraging Poro and Viking, Silo AI endeavors to extend the benefits of these services to speakers of low-resource languages, thereby empowering European stakeholders to shape downstream applications and value creation processes.
In the fiercely competitive landscape of AI, Viking stands poised to bolster Europe’s economic prospects. Silo AI’s roadmap includes expanding its model family to encompass all official EU languages by the year’s end.
Conclusion:
Silo AI’s introduction of the Nordic LLM Collection signifies a significant advancement in preserving linguistic diversity and promoting digital sovereignty in Europe. This initiative not only addresses the scarcity of resources for Nordic languages but also enhances accessibility to essential services and markets. As Silo AI expands its model family to include all official EU languages, it demonstrates a commitment to fostering inclusivity and innovation in the AI landscape, positioning itself as a key player in shaping the future of linguistic technology.
