Indigenous Peoples, numbering around 476 million across 90 countries and representing 5,000 cultures, face unique challenges and opportunities in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). Without proper safeguards, AI risks exacerbating inequalities by harming Indigenous rights, worsening environmental damage, and reinforcing harmful colonial legacies. The energy-intensive nature of AI infrastructure, particularly data centres located near Indigenous lands, can lead to environmental degradation that threatens vital ecosystems.
AI decision-making processes are often dominated by governments and large technology corporations, with little to no consultation with Indigenous Peoples. This exclusion has resulted in Indigenous languages, knowledge, and cultures being incorporated into AI datasets without consent, perpetuating cultural appropriation and misrepresentation.
Despite these risks, AI offers significant opportunities for Indigenous communities, enabling the preservation of intergenerational knowledge, empowering youth, and safeguarding cultural identity and languages. The potential for AI to serve as a tool for empowerment is a central theme of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, alongside the recognition of Indigenous-led innovation through the Equator Prize.
To mark the occasion, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced the 2025 Equator Prize winners, celebrating Indigenous-led, community-based initiatives that align with the theme “Nature for Climate Action.” These initiatives showcase sustainable development solutions that protect biodiversity, address climate change, and promote cultural resilience. Winners will each receive $10,000, be recognized in an online ceremony, and have the opportunity to participate in global events such as the UN General Assembly and COP30 in Brazil later this year.
The 2025 prize recipients span Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, with projects focused on sustainable livelihoods, environmental conservation, and climate resilience. From protecting rainforests and restoring drylands to promoting regenerative agriculture and marine conservation, these initiatives highlight the leadership of Indigenous Peoples—especially youth and women—in driving nature-based climate action.
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