Kota Kinabalu: The growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate cultural content has raised concerns over the accuracy of information related to Sabah’s traditions and heritage, particularly during the Kaamatan season.
Unduk Ngadau Association President Ellyanti Nelson said while technology can be useful in promoting culture, it must be used responsibly to avoid distorting the essence and meaning behind cultural practices.
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“Kaamatan is evolving. Culture is evolving. But I think it should evolve responsibly by protecting the soul of it,” she said during the Daily Express Sabah Matters podcast Kaamatan special.
Ellyanti stressed that AI and other digital tools should complement efforts to preserve culture rather than contribute to the spread of inaccurate information.
She cited the example of Dusun language translations generated by AI platforms, saying they often fail to accurately capture the intended meaning.
“If you translate the Dusun language in, say, ChatGPT, the translation is very off, doesn’t relate, can’t relate at all,” she said.
Her remarks came amid increasing use of AI-generated songs, artwork, social media posts and written content relating to Kaamatan celebrations, prompting concerns that cultural nuances could be misunderstood or misrepresented online.
Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Youth Council representative, Steve Johnny Mositun, acknowledged that AI has become a common tool for many people creating content, but cautioned against accepting all AI-generated information at face value.
“Everyone seems to be an expert when ChatGPT suddenly stormed the world,” he said.
While AI can enhance writing and creativity, Steve said the public should continue referring to official cultural institutions for accurate information.
“For me, the strength of AI is to have a database. The more people write, we just hope that the database in the AI system would be as accurate as possible,” he said.
He encouraged the public to follow official platforms such as KDCA and Unduk Ngadau channels for verified information related to Kaamatan traditions and cultural practices.
Both speakers agreed that modernisation itself is not a threat to culture, but emphasised that technology should be used to strengthen appreciation and understanding of Sabah’s heritage rather than dilute it.
As Kaamatan celebrations continue to attract younger audiences through digital platforms, they said ensuring the authenticity of cultural narratives remains a shared responsibility.
“We, as the younger generation, will be more appreciative if we understand the core values of our culture,” Ellyanti said.
