Embedding Cultural Value of a Society into Large Language Models (LLMs)

Introduction

In the era of rapid technological advancement, the integration of a society's cultural values into Large Language Models (LLMs) is not just an innovation but a necessity. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, "A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people." This sentiment underscores the importance of infusing LLMs with the richness and diversity of cultural heritage to ensure they reflect the true essence of human societies.

Mahatma Gandhi with mill workers at Darwen, a textile town in Lancashire, England, September 25, 1931

Strategies for Embedding Cultural Values

Documentation and Recording: Leveraging the vastness of cultural documentation is crucial. From literary works to recorded folk tales and traditional music, these resources form a diverse dataset that provides LLMs with a comprehensive understanding of a culture's fabric.
Community Engagement: Involving community members in the development process ensures authenticity and relevance. As Confucius stated, “Study the past if you would define the future.” Engaging with those who carry the legacy of their culture can guide the accurate representation of societal values and norms.

Education and Transmission: Incorporating educational materials about different cultures into the training datasets is vital. This aligns with Nelson Mandela’s belief that "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." It ensures that the LLM not only understands but also respects and perpetuates cultural knowledge.
Cultural Adaptation and Evolution: To keep pace with evolving cultural expressions, LLMs must be regularly updated with contemporary cultural content. This approach mirrors the words of Victor Hugo: "Change your opinions, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your roots."
Promotion through Media and Arts: Integrating cultural media and arts into training data exposes LLMs to a society’s aesthetic and narrative diversity, echoing Rumi's thought, "Let the beauty of what you love be what you do."

Training LLMs

Training an LLM involves feeding it a vast array of text data. This data is processed and analyzed for patterns in language use, context, and semantics. To embed cultural values, the training dataset must be curated to include a wide range of culturally relevant texts, recordings, and other forms of media. The model learns from this data, understanding not just the language but also the cultural nuances embedded within it. See Generative AI & Law: LLMs are not Stochastic Parrots. Based on this, LLMs can then generate responses that are culturally informed and sensitive.

Conclusion

Embedding the cultural values of a society into LLMs is a multifaceted task that requires a blend of technology, sociology, and art. It’s about respecting the past, embracing the present, and responsibly shaping the future of AI interaction. As we move forward, it’s essential to remember that our goal is not just to create intelligent machines, but to create machines that understand and respect human culture and the society.

Further read

LLM, Us and Neuroplasticity

"Are you sure?": Unveiling the Quest for Human-Like Artificial Intelligence

Designers, creativity and AI

A LLM as a reflection of our inner most desires

Should AGI be a she, he, or a it?