Wikipedia

Cdial

Centre for Digitization of Indigenous African Languages, CDIAL is a technology company focused on artificial intelligence (AI) for the enterprise, specializing in language models in low-resourced languages, research, and deployment. The organization was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, US with offices in Lagos, Nigeria.[1]

CDIAL AI
Founder(s)Yinka Iyinolakan
Established2021
MissionLocalizing digital access regardless of language, technological expertise, or economic status.
Key peopleYinka Iyinolakan, Shona Olalere, Soji Akinlabi
Location
Lagos, Nigeria. Los Angeles, US.
Websitehttps://indigenius.ai/

In 2023, CDIAL launched its technology, Indigenius Mobile, a conversational AI platform for multilingual communication and interaction.[2][3] CDIAL also released its multilingual smart Keyboard designed to enable communication in 180 African languages and allow users to communicate in their native languages.[4][5][6]

In May 2023, CDIAL unveiled a dictionary that translates modern words into native languages covering new existing words not contained in native dictionaries.[7][8][9]

History

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The organization was officially established in 2021 by three Nigerians, Yinka Iyinolakan, Soji Akinlabi, and Shona Olalere setting out on a mission to localize digital access and digitize indigenous languages,[10][11] including building technology that businesses can use to deploy customer support agents, chatbots, search engines, copywriting, translation, summarization, and other AI-driven products.[12][13] CDIAL products include the Indigenius app on Play Store, enterprise API solutions for translation and speech recognition, and hardware systems supporting African languages[13]

Milestones

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In 2023, CDIAL got a $50,000 Prize at Pharrell Williams' Black Ambition third annual demo day competition, in a ceremony held in Tribeca, New York.[14][15][16] In 2024, CDIAL received the Innovative and Technology Award presented by Nigeria's vice president,Kashim Shettima on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria as part of its 2024 MSME Day support program,[17][18] and was listed as part of the first cohort of ten innovative startups by Accelerate Africa,[19][20] an accelerator program striving to be the Y Combinator of Africa. Google also selected CDIAL for its Cohort 8 Africa accelerator program for startups.[21][22]

References

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  1. ^ "Indigenius AI". indigenius.ai. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  2. ^ "CDIAL Unveils AI Technology that Speaks 4 Nigerian Languages - Brand Times". 2023-09-29. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  3. ^ "Digitizing Local Languages for the Fourth Industrial Revolution". Businessday NG. 2022-06-11. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  4. ^ "Firm Launches Multi-lingual Computer Keyboard – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  5. ^ Oba, John (2023-05-08). "Company launches keyboard to enhance communication in 180 African languages". Blueprint Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  6. ^ CDIAL AI (2023-05-25). Indigenius: The Multilingual Keyboard That Speaks Your Language. Retrieved 2024-07-10 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ Ijaseun, David (2023-01-21). "Firm launches dictionary for modern words in native languages". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  8. ^ "CDIAL unveils dictionary for modern words in native languages". Vanguard Newspaper. January 29, 2023. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  9. ^ CDIAL AI (2023-02-09). Introducing The CDIAL Dictionary. Retrieved 2024-07-10 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ "CDIAL Holds Panel Session on DigitiSing Indigenous Languages at 2022 Social Media Week – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2024-07-30.
  11. ^ "CDIAL aims to bridge the digital divide in Africa | Jamlab". Retrieved 2024-07-30.
  12. ^ "Indigenius AI". indigenius.ai. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  13. ^ a b Aimuengheuwa, Joan (2023-12-04). "A Chat with Yinka Iyinolakan on CDIAL.AI's Innovative Solutions for Multilingual Africa". Tech | Business | Economy. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  14. ^ "Pharrell Williams' Black Ambition Awards $3.2 Million Dollars to 36 Entrepreneurs at Third Annual "Demo Day" – Black Ambition Prize". Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  15. ^ Eromosele, Fortune (November 15, 2023). "CDIAL.AI's 'Indigenius' wins prestigious black ambition prize". Vanguard Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  16. ^ HYFIN (2023-11-13). "Diverse Innovators Shine at Pharrell's Black Ambition Prize 2023: Discover the Champions". HYFIN. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  17. ^ "MSMEs Award: FG splashes millions, cars on 15 companies - Daily Trust". Daily Trust Newspaper. 2024-07-01. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  18. ^ "MSME AWARD: FG gifts millions in cash, new cars to top 15 companies - SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTS". 2024-07-02. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  19. ^ "Dabafinance - Accelerate Africa selects 10 African startups for pioneer cohort". Dabafinance. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  20. ^ "LIST | Accelerate Africa Unveils Inaugural Cohort of 10 Startups After Successful Demo Day". BitKE. 2024-06-05. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  21. ^ Akintaro, Samson (2024-07-30). "Google selects five Nigerian startups for cohort 8 of Africa accelerator program". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2024-07-30.
  22. ^ "Meet The 8th Cohort Of Google For Startups Accelerator Africa". techfinancials.co.za. 2024-07-30. Retrieved 2024-07-30.
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