Bard College will soon be home to an interdisciplinary research center focused on Indigenous-informed artificial intelligence (AI). The Wihanble S’a Center for Indigenous AI, led by Dr. Suzanne Kite, will explore the intersection of AI and Indigenous knowledge systems, with a mission to develop ethical AI frameworks deeply rooted in Indigenous methodologies.

This prestigious recognition comes from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), which has designated Wihanble S’a as a Humanities Research Center on AI. Beginning in Fall 2024, the center will receive support from the NEH, allowing it to establish a dedicated facility on Bard College’s Massena Campus.

The Wihanble S’a Center’s initiatives include hosting public events, workshops, and an interdisciplinary Fellowship and Visiting Scholars program. These activities aim to advance the field of Indigenous-informed AI and contribute to Bard College’s ongoing commitment to being a leader in Indigenous studies in the United States.

The center’s work will also complement the recruitment and support of Indigenous students ongoing at Bard’s Center for Indigenous Studies, as well as Dr. Kite’s work with the international Abundant Intelligences Indigenous AI research program.

“This award is a tremendous honor and a recognition of the importance of American Indian perspectives in the rapidly evolving fields of AI,” said Dr. Kite, director of the Wihanble S’a Center. “Our goal is to develop ethical methodologies for systems grounded in Indigenous knowledge, offering new guidelines and models through collaboration between Indigenous scholars and AI researchers, challenging the predominantly Western approach to AI. Wihanble S’a (WEE hah blay SAH) means 'dreamer' in Lakota, and we are dreaming of an abundant future.”