As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly shapes communication, education, and work, concerns grow over the dominance of English - particularly American English - in training data. This imbalance risks sidelining more than 200 European languages and the continent’s rich cultural heritage.

In response, Microsoft has launched a broad initiative aimed at preserving Europe’s linguistic diversity and cultural identity in the fast-evolving AI landscape.

Central to this effort is the development of multilingual AI tailored for Europe. Microsoft is establishing innovation hubs in Strasbourg to enhance the availability of multilingual datasets, fostering AI models that better capture Europe’s language variety. Alongside this, the company is inviting proposals to digitize content in ten European languages, helping to create a more culturally representative foundation for future AI technologies.

Microsoft is also expanding its Culture AI project by investing in the digital preservation of iconic European landmarks and artifacts. Past projects include digital reconstructions of Greece’s ancient Olympia, France’s Mont Saint-Michel, and the Vatican’s St. Peter Basilica. The upcoming major undertaking is a “digital twin” of the Notre Dame Cathedral, developed in partnership with the French Ministry of Culture and IConem, a 3D digital heritage specialist. Scheduled for release later this year, this digital replica will serve as both an archival tool and an educational resource.

These initiatives build on Microsoft’s broader commitment to Europe’s digital sovereignty, infrastructure, and economic resilience. The company aligns its AI and cloud strategies with European values, emphasizing transparency, privacy, and cultural inclusivity.

This effort transcends technology - it aims to ensure that Europe’s languages, stories, and cultural identity not only endure but also gain greater prominence in the digital age. As AI becomes a dominant global force, Microsoft positions itself as a key partner helping Europe shape a future that respects and celebrates its diversity.

Without inclusive AI, Europe’s languages, businesses, and citizens risk being poorly served by the next wave of digital tools.

Source: M3 Communications Group, Inc press release