Bookoob Logo
Learn About Slip
Somali knowledge infrastructure for inclusive AI

Somali Language Infrastructure Program (SLIP)

A Somalia-Based Pilot for Inclusive AI and Knowledge Systems - Implemented by Bookoob Ltd under KOWNAIN

12 months pilot phase
Partner: Bookoob Ltd
Focus: Youth & Language Infrastructure
Learn more
Executive Overview
What SLIP is and why it matters
Artificial intelligence systems increasingly shape how knowledge is produced, accessed, and distributed.
Who it serves
Youth & language infrastructure
A capacity-driven, Somalia-based pilot that combines youth training, language data production, and public-interest governance.
What it produces
Machine-ready Somali datasets
High-quality, documented, AI-ready Somali language datasets with transparent documentation and ethical safeguards.
Public-good focus
Stewardship & safeguards
Donor-supported outputs are governed by explicit public-good safeguards to protect community benefit.
The Challenge

The Opportunity

Underrepresented languages are not merely at risk of exclusion — they represent a major opportunity for inclusive innovation.

The Program: SLIP

The Somali Language Infrastructure Program (SLIP) is a Somalia-based pilot designed to address this gap through a practical, capacity-driven approach. SLIP combines youth training, high-quality language data production, and public-interest governance to lay the foundations for sustained Somali participation in AI and digital knowledge systems.

Youth Training
Train Somali youth in linguistics-informed language data production
Dataset Production
Produce high-quality, documented, machine-ready Somali language datasets
Resource Development
Develop open documentation, terminology resources, and standards
Ethical Framework
Establish ethical safeguards and stewardship pathways for long-term sustainability
Foundational by design
Built to test a scalable model
SLIP is intentionally designed as a foundational intervention — testing scalable models that can later support expanded fellowship cohorts and replication across other underrepresented languages.
Bookoob
Why Bookoob

Bookoob Ltd serves as the implementing partner due to its demonstrated capacity in Somali knowledge production and language workflows.

Translation Excellence: Produced hundreds of high-quality Somali translations of complex nonfiction content
Terminology Development: Developed consistent Somali terminology across economics, science, and social thought
Quality Workflows: Established multilingual editorial, quality assurance, and documentation workflows
Digital Archives: Built and maintained structured digital archives of Somali language content
Expert Networks: Cultivated networks of translators, editors, narrators, and reviewers
Public Interest: All donor-supported outputs governed by explicit public-good safeguards

Public-Good Safeguards and Stewardship
Donor-funded outputs serve the public interest

A core principle of SLIP is that donor-funded outputs serve the public interest.

Partnership Pathways

All partnerships are structured to maintain academic independence, ethical boundaries, and community benefit.

Donors & Foundations
Support pilot implementation, youth training, and infrastructure development
Universities & Research
Engage through applied research collaboration and curriculum linkage
AI Labs & Tech Companies
Ethically sponsor applied fellows or support open language infrastructure
Why Now

AI systems are rapidly advancing, and language inclusion decisions made today will shape who participates in future knowledge economies. For Somali and other underrepresented languages, the window to build foundational infrastructure is narrowing.

SLIP represents a timely, practical intervention — grounded in Somalia's linguistic reality, aligned with global public-interest principles, and designed to deliver durable institutional value beyond a single project cycle.

Learn more