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world Scmp World 2026-04-01

Mandarin Replaces Cantonese: AI Steps In

As Mandarin dominates Cantonese, a new AI startup aims to preserve the latter with its deep-tech solutions.


Preserving Cantonese has been challenging due to the dominance of Mandarin, limited learning resources and a lack of a standard written form. With a declining number of young learners, the language faces an uncertain future. Artificial intelligence (AI) – seen by some as an existential threat to humanity – may become the hope for saving the language, and many others, along with the distinct cultures they embody. This is the mission of Hong Kong-based deep-tech company Votee AI: to use large...

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