Māori Issues
Te Karere

New app 'Reobot' aims to normalise the use of the Maori language

March 23, 2018

A new app has been created that harnesses artificial intelligence to foster te reo Maori.

Reobot - a new app has been created that harnesses artificial intelligence to foster Te Reo Maori.

Jason Lovell, founder of Reobot says it’s designed to assist second language learners in conversational Te Reo Maori.

"The way it works is that we've linked into an IBM conversational service, I guess you could call it. And in that way, we can help train the Reobot to respond in particular ways to a particular input."

Lovell also says Reobot utilizes Facebook messenger as a tool to converse with second language learners in the hope to revitalise conversational Te Reo Maori.

"Conversations need interaction. They need each person to ask a question. By us directing it in that sort of way we can sort of direct people to what we feel are common conversations that you're more likely to have every day and in that way it enables our users to practice more every day reo."

With Maori language learning programs in hot demand, Maori language adult educator Ani-Piki Tuari says there are many facets of learning the language.

While this is a modest start for Reobot, this is an initiative that will contribute towards the normalization of Te Reo Maori.

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