Lee Makatoa

Valuable indigenous knowledge is often passed down through verbal storytelling, art, music and dance, meaning the general adoption of western advancements has made it difficult for some cultures to keep up. As we propel into the world of artificial intelligence (AI), cultural erasure is a fear shared by many who want to protect their identities, craft and connection to the land. Through AI experimentation, I have retold Niuean legend: Mataginifale and the Whale. The original tale teaches the importance of art and design as a tool to preserve our stories, identities and belonging. However, in this version, Mataginifale’s story has been swallowed by an AI system, where it encounters gender biases, cultural generalisation, and distortion of the natural world. This version of the story predicts a second wave of colonisation in our digital spaces, and highlights the need for indigenous collaboration throughout AI usage and development.