Every year on 9 August, the world pauses to honor the cultural richness, resilience, and deep-rooted knowledge of Indigenous Peoples. This isn’t just a ceremonial nod — it’s a reminder that Indigenous communities have been the planet’s guardians for millennia, nurturing biodiversity and living in harmony with ecosystems long before “sustainability” became a buzzword.
This year’s theme — Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures — feels especially urgent. Artificial Intelligence is no longer science fiction; it’s in our phones, our work, our policies, and our decisions. But what happens when something as fast-moving and data-hungry as AI meets something as sacred and place-bound as traditional knowledge?
AI’s Double-Edged Sword
As Ms. Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, points out — AI can be both a tool and a threat.
Used without care, AI risks stripping away consent, control, and data sovereignty — principles that protect Indigenous knowledge from misuse. The danger? Ancient wisdom becoming just another “dataset” to be mined without respect for its cultural and spiritual roots.
But here’s the flip side: when safeguards are in place — and when Indigenous communities lead the way — AI can help preserve and apply traditional knowledge in ways that strengthen biodiversity protection, climate resilience, and community well-being. Imagine technology that doesn’t erase, but amplifies Indigenous voices in shaping solutions to our planet’s most pressing challenges.
From Cali to the Future
When Indigenous leadership guides the way, AI can become more than algorithms — it can be a respectful partner in protecting our shared planet.
This year’s reflections are framed by a milestone — the decision at COP 16 in Cali, Colombia, to establish a new Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and launch a fresh Programme of Work. This isn’t just bureaucratic language; it’s a recognition that Indigenous Peoples aren’t “stakeholders” — they are rights-holders and essential stewards of biodiversity.
Walking the Path Together
For AI to truly serve the planet, it must walk in step with Indigenous values — not sprint ahead without looking back. It means putting Indigenous leadership at the heart of decision-making, honoring spiritual connections to land and water, and protecting the stories, practices, and wisdom that have kept ecosystems alive for centuries.
If done right, Artificial Intelligence can be more than just code and algorithms — it can be a respectful partner in a shared future where biodiversity thrives, cultures flourish, and technology listens as much as it speaks.
References:
Convention on Biological Diversity – Statement by Ms. Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary, 9 August 2025: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples – Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures. (binary PDF)
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