Exploring pragmatic implications of artificial intelligence on language, learning, and knowledge construction: The case of Hausa

This paper examines the pragmatic implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for language, learning, and knowledge construction, with a particular focus on Hausa. Its aim is to provide background knowledge on how AI can be leveraged to empower the Hausa language and education. Using a pragmatic framework, the paper analyzes the impact of AI on communication patterns, authorship, and agency in educational settings, while also exploring the potential benefits and challenges of AI integration in education and research. Specifically, the paper highlights several implications of AI for Hausa, including: AI’s influence on communication styles and expressions; ethical issues and bias in Hausa AI models; AI’s impact on cultural identity and linguistic evolution; the role of Google Translate in the standardization of Hausa; dialectal bias in Mozilla Common Voice; the contribution of HausaGPT to cultural preservation; and YouTube’s moderation of Hausa content. It also discusses the evolving role of AI in Hausa knowledge construction and cultural heritage preservation. Finally, the paper offers recommendations and suggests areas for further research. It calls for collaborative efforts among linguists, technologists, and policymakers to ensure that AI serves Hausa speakers effectively and responsibly.