Linguistic Barriers in Academic Research: Can AI Create a More Inclusive Future?

Abstract

Language plays a critical role in shaping access to knowledge, yet linguistic barriers continue to limit equity in academic research. This presentation explores how artificial intelligence can be harnessed to overcome these challenges and foster more inclusive, multilingual access to scholarly literature. Drawing on six years of experience developing AI tools designed to support language understanding, we will examine how AI technologies—initially created to help users navigate the gap between everyday and academic language—can now address broader systemic issues related to language in research and information seeking. While English remains the dominant language of scholarly communication, this predominance often marginalizes non-English speakers and restricts global collaboration. At the same time, native English speakers may also face barriers in understanding academic discourse. Through real-world examples and insights from our work, we will demonstrate how AI-powered tools can support users in discovering and interpreting research across languages, promote equitable participation in global academic conversations, and improve the visibility of research produced in underrepresented languages. By the end of this session, participants will be able to: - Recognize the impact of linguistic barriers on equity in academic research. - Discover how AI technologies can facilitate access to scholarly literature across different languages. - Consider practical ways to leverage AI tools to promote language inclusivity in academic libraries.

This talk offers a timely look at the intersection of language, technology, and inclusion—highlighting how advances in AI can help academic institutions better support multilingual communities and ensure more equitable access to knowledge for all.

(presented on 14 August 2025 at "AI in the Academic Field: Supporting Research and Learning" session)