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English 2.0: AI-Driven Language Transformation
Artificial intelligence might have wide-ranging effects on the evolution of the English language and, in turn, on education, communication, and global knowledge sharing.
Credit: Ole.CNX / Shutterstock.Com © 2024 In an increasingly interconnected world, English has long been the global lingua franca, bridging diverse cultures and disciplines. But as we stand on the cusp of the artificial intelligence (AI) era, we must consider how this universal language might evolve—or be revolutionized—in the coming years. This article explores the concept of English as a programming language for human ideas, its potential transformation into an AI-improved version, and the implications this could have for education, communication, and global knowledge sharing. Along the way, we'll draw parallels and contrasts with George Orwell's dystopian vision of language control in his novel 1984 to better understand the possibilities and pitfalls of this linguistic revolution.
English as a Programming Language for Human IdeasTo understand the potential future of the English language, we must first recognize its current role as a tool for encoding and transmitting human thoughts. Just as computer programmers use specific languages to instruct machines, humans use natural languages to "transmit" ideas into the minds of others. With its global reach and adaptability, English has become a particularly powerful medium for this purpose.
The parallels between natural languages and programming languages are striking. Both have syntax and structure, logical flow, and the ability to convey complex ideas through a combination of simpler elements. As linguist Noam Chomsky famously proposed, "Language is a process of free creation; its laws and principles are fixed, but the manner in which the principles of generation are used is free and infinitely varied."Footnote1 This variability allows for the expression of an infinite number of ideas through a finite set of linguistic rules—not unlike how a finite set of programming instructions can create an endless variety of software applications.
From the vast digital encyclopedia Wikipedia to the countless academic journals and research papers published each year, English is the primary medium for storing and sharing human knowledge across borders and disciplines. Its dominance in business, science, technology, and digital media has further cemented its position as the de facto language of global communication.
Encoding systems use simple algorithms such as parity to verify data integrity, whereas human languages rely on grammar and syntax to confirm the validity of text in the reader's mind. Reading is essentially an ongoing process of decoding data from a page and integrating it as thoughts into a person's mind. Writing is the encoding process. If used incorrectly, it can limit, miscommunicate, or truncate ideas.
Orwell's Vision: Newspeak and DoublespeakAs we consider the future of English, it's instructive to look back at one of the most famous fictional explorations of language control: George Orwell's 1984. In this dystopian novel, Orwell introduced the concept of Newspeak, a language designed by the totalitarian government to limit the range of ideas that could be expressed. By simplifying vocabulary and eliminating nuance, Newspeak aimed to eliminate "thoughtcrime."
Orwell wrote, "The purpose of Newspeak was not only to provide a medium of expression for the world-view and mental habits proper to the devotees of Ingsoc but to make all other modes of thought impossible."Footnote2 This extreme form of linguistic determinism posited that by controlling language, one could control thought itself.
Alongside Newspeak, Orwell also explored the concept of doublespeak—language used to distort or obscure its actual meaning. Although less formalized than Newspeak, doublespeak serves a similar purpose of controlling thought through language manipulation. We see echoes of this in modern political euphemisms and corporate jargon, where words are often used to soften harsh realities or to create ambiguity.
The Rise of AI-Improved EnglishAs we move further into the age of AI, we're witnessing the emergence of what could be called "English 2.0"—a version of the language enhanced and potentially transformed by AI capabilities. Unlike Orwell's Newspeak, which aimed to restrict thought, AI-improved English has the potential to expand our linguistic capabilities in unprecedented ways.
Natural language processing technologies are already enhancing our ability to communicate across language barriers. AI-powered translation tools are becoming increasingly sophisticated, breaking down cultural and linguistic divides. But the potential of AI goes far beyond translation. We're seeing the development of systems that can generate human-like text, summarize complex documents, and even engage in nuanced conversation.
Although these systems can produce incredibly fluent and contextually appropriate text, they lack the deep understanding and intentionality that characterize human language use. Computational linguist Emily Bender notes, "Language models are picking up patterns in the data they're trained on, but they're not actually learning meaning in the way that humans do."Footnote3 This distinction is crucial as we consider the future of AI-improved English.
The potential of English 2.0 as a more efficient knowledge-encoding system is immense. AI could help create a standardized form of English optimized for clarity and precision, potentially reducing misunderstandings in fields such as science, law, and international diplomacy. However, this standardization also raises questions about the richness and cultural nuances that might be lost in the process.
Implications for Education and CommunicationThe emergence of AI-improved English has profound implications for education and communication. Traditional writing skills may become less important as AI systems become better at generating and editing text. Instead, the emphasis might shift to idea generation, critical thinking, and the ability to effectively prompt and direct AI language tools.
This shift is already visible in some academic circles. Interestingly, some journals have begun to scrutinize well-written articles for potential AI assistance, leading to a paradoxical situation in which authors might intentionally "dumb down" their writing to avoid suspicion. This development echoes Orwell's 1984, where complex expression becomes suspect, albeit for very different reasons.
The future of language learning could also be transformed. Instead of spending years mastering grammar and vocabulary, students might focus on conceptual understanding and cultural knowledge, relying on AI for real-time language production and translation. This educational shift could democratize global communication, but it also could create a dependency on AI systems for basic linguistic tasks.
AI-Improved English: A Modern Form of Newspeak?While the comparison between AI-improved English and Orwell's Newspeak might seem far-fetched, there are some thought-provoking parallels to consider. Both represent a form of engineered language change (albeit with vastly different intents). Whereas Newspeak aimed to limit thought, AI-improved English could expand our expressive capabilities. However, the power to shape language evolution would be partially ceded to AI systems, raising questions about control and intentionality in language development.
Moreover, the standardization of language across global culture through AI could lead to a homogenization of expression. Although this might improve clarity in some contexts, it could also lead to a loss of linguistic diversity and unique perspectives. As linguist David Crystal warns, "If the development of a global language meant the death of other languages, that would be too high a price to pay."Footnote4
The Future of Human–AI Language InteractionIn the more distant future, the way humans interact with AI-improved English could change dramatically. We might move beyond traditional reading and writing to more direct forms of communication. Some futurists envision direct brain–computer interfaces that could allow thoughts to be translated instantly into this optimized language, facilitating unprecedented levels of global collaboration and idea sharing.
However, such developments also raise profound ethical questions. If AI becomes the mediator of our communications, who controls the algorithms that shape our language? How do we ensure transparency and prevent subtle forms of thought control or manipulation?
Navigating the Linguistic RevolutionAs we stand at the threshold of this linguistic revolution, it's clear that the future of English—and of human communication—is inextricably linked with the development of AI. AI-improved English offers the potential for enhanced global understanding and knowledge sharing. However, we must remain vigilant to ensure that this evolution enhances rather than restricts human thought and expression.
The challenges ahead are significant. We must grapple with questions of linguistic diversity, the changing nature of language skills, and the ethical implications of AI-mediated communication. Education systems will need to adapt, focusing more on critical thinking, creativity, and ethical reasoning—skills that will remain uniquely human in an AI-dominated linguistic landscape.
Ultimately, the future of the English language in the age of AI is not predetermined. It will be shaped by the choices we make as educators, policymakers, technologists, and global citizens. By engaging critically with these developments, we can strive to create a future where technology enhances our linguistic capabilities without compromising the rich, diverse nature of human expression.
As we navigate this new linguistic frontier, let us heed the words of Orwell himself, not as a prophecy of doom but as a call for vigilance: "If thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought."Footnote5 In the age of AI-improved English, our task is to ensure that language continues to liberate and expand thought—not constrain it.
NotesSzymon Machajewski is Associate Director of Academic Technology and Learning Innovation at University of Illinois Chicago.
MBZUAI Hosts Leading Natural Language Processing Conference
(MENAFN- Asdaf News) Abu Dhabi – Asdaf News:
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) hosts the 31st International conference on Computational Linguistics (COLING 2025) , which is organized under the auspices of the International Committee on Computational Linguistics (ICCL), at Abu Dhabi National exhibition Centre (ADNEC), in Abu Dhabi, from January 19-24, 2025.
COLING is one of the premier conferences for natural language processing (NLP) and artificial intelligence (AI). In 2025, the conference will take place in Abu Dhabi and the MENA region for the first time and will bring together key leaders from the NLP and AI communities.
First established in 1965, the biennial COLING conference has been held in diverse parts of the globe and attracts participants from top-ranked research centers and emerging countries. Today, the most important developments in our field are taking place not only in universities and academic research institutes but also in industrial research departments, including tech startups. COLING provides opportunities for all these communities to showcase their exciting discoveries.
The conference will feature a main conference, workshops, tutorials, and other events. The main conference will include keynote talks, oral and poster presentations, and panel discussions. Workshops and tutorials will be held on the first two days of the conference.
COLING 2025 is the second top-tier conference on NLP and AI to take place in Abu Dhabi, after the 2022 Conference on Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing (EMNLP), which was organized by NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), in partnership with MBZUAI.
Professor Timothy Baldwin, provost and professor of NLP at MBZUAI, added:"COLING 2025 is a dynamic platform for showcasing Abu Dhabi's growing leadership in AI, especially in natural language processing. MBZUAI's mission is to address the region's unique linguistic landscape, from dialectal Arabic to multilingual challenges while advancing the global frontiers of AI research. Hosting this prestigious event underscores our commitment to empowering societies through cutting-edge NLP technologies and bridging the digital divide in the UAE and beyond."
With a total of 1,500 expected to partake in the conference, COLING 2025 will feature nine tutorials and 22 workshops , as well as the First Winter School on Arabic Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Computational Linguistics (CL) , a two-day event designed to advance knowledge and skills in Arabic NLP and CL research and development and to foster interdisciplinary exchange and networking among students, academics and industry professionals in the field.
Professor Nizar Habash, from NYUAD and MBZUAI, part of the local organizing committee and organizer of the Winter School on Arabic NLP/CL commented:"The program of the Winter School will include expert-led tutorials and lectures, hands-on workshops, and poster sessions featuring ongoing research and project proposals in the fields of Arabic NLP and CL. We anticipate around 100 participants, including researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, Ph.D. Candidates, and industry and government practitioners with interest in Arabic NLP and CL."
In addition to leveraging Abu Dhabi's strong MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) infrastructure and capabilities, the conference is supported by the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB), part of the Department of Tourism and Culture – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
COLING is a leading conference in natural language processing and artificial intelligence. NLP is a subfield of linguistics, computer science, and AI that considers the interactions between computers and human language. Discipline helps machines process and understand human language to perform repetitive tasks automatically. Everyday examples include machine translation, automatic summarization, and automatic spelling correction. COLING is a very competitive conference acceptance rate of submitted full scientific papers. All conference publications will be publicly available for free at the Anthology of the Association for Computational Linguistics (ACL) .
The logo for COLING 2025, designed by Professor Nizar Habash, showcases the architectural marvels of Abu Dhabi, UAE. It features five iconic buildings, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Capital Gate, Etihad Towers, Burj Mohammed bin Rashid, Al Bahar Towers, and Aldar Headquarters.
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Natural Language Processing Use Cases
Machines have learned and are still learning to speak our language. Not just in sci-fi movies, but in banks, hospitals, and call centers around the world. This trend isn't about robots chatting at the vending machine — it's a revolution in how computers understand and use human communication.
That's the domain of natural language processing. It's a vital area of the artificial intelligence takeover, which handles the process by which AI understands and utilizes unstructured language data between humans and technology.
To help you understand the technology better, this TechRepublic Premium article by Franklin Okeke explores the practical use cases of NLP and its growing importance in today's digital environment.
Featured text from the download:
FINANCE AND BANKING
About 30% of NLP applications will be implemented within the banking, financial services, and insurance sectors by 2025, according to John Snow Labs. Historically, the banking industry has been a key driver in adopting AI technologies, particularly NLP, to enhance data automation processes. Some of the notable use cases include:
Fraud detection and risk assessment
NLP solutions can empower financial institutions to bolster their fraud detection capabilities and safeguard against financial crimes. This can be achieved by enabling automated analysis of vast amounts of unstructured data such as emails, transaction descriptions, social media, and customer communications.
The insurance sector, for instance, is among the most targeted for financial fraud in the U.S., with fraud figures reaching $309 billion per annum, which translates to nearly $1,000 per person.
NLP algorithms are being used by many insurance companies to help them identify suspicious patterns, anomalies, and fraudulent behaviors by examining the language used in these data sources for signs of deceit, phishing attempts, or identity theft.
Enhance your NLP knowledge with our in-depth 11-page PDF. This is available for download at just $9. Alternatively, enjoy complimentary access with a Premium annual subscription.
TIME SAVED: Crafting this content required 22 hours of dedicated writing, editing, research, and design.
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