09/08/2025
Reconciliation Australia 9 August commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. 2025’s theme is Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures.
While AI can support cultural revitalisation, youth empowerment, and even adaptation to climate change, it often reinforces bias, exclusion, and misrepresentation towards Indigenous Peoples.
Most AI systems are built without Indigenous input, risking the misuse of their data, knowledge, and identities.
In Australia, concerns and benefits of AI technology have been highlighted, including AI’s effect on Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP). Read more:
📌 How will AI affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture? - via NITV:
https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/how-will-ai-affect-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-culture/dwhzc75a1
📌 AI affects everyone – including Indigenous people. It’s time we have a say in how it’s built – via The Conversation Australia + NZ: https://theconversation.com/ai-affects-everyone-including-indigenous-people-its-time-we-have-a-say-in-how-its-built-239605
To unlock AI’s full potential, Indigenous Peoples must be respected as rights-holders, co-creators, and decision-makers. Meaningful inclusion, data sovereignty, and culturally grounded innovation are key to ensuring AI empowers their communities.
Learn more about the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/indigenous-day
Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
NACCHO Aboriginal Health Australia
Katie Kiss - Social Justice Commissioner
Coalition of Peaks
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy - Northern Territory
Australian Human Rights Commission
