Pioneering Tibetan IT outfit unveils five new stages at Monlam Manifest 2024

Tenzin Nyidon 

DHARAMSHALA, Nov. 4: The Monlam Tibetan IT Research Center, a pioneering developer of Tibetan educational software, unveiled five new innovative stages as part of its ongoing technological journey at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) here on Sunday. This year’s Monlam Manifest 2024 event drew a diverse audience of Tibetan IT enthusiasts, educators, and community leaders eager to witness the latest innovations.

The launch event introduced Monlam AI, the first of its kind in Tibetan AI, featuring five major tools: Monlam Translate App, Monlam Web Extension, Monlam Nyamrub (Collaboration), Monlam Keyboard, and Monlam Melong, also known as the Tibetan Large Language Model (LLM). These tools reflect the centre’s commitment to making the Tibetan language digitally accessible and empowering Tibetan-speaking communities to thrive in the global digital space.

Geshe Lobsang Monlam, the visionary founder and CEO of the Monlam Tibetan IT Research Center, in his opening remarks, spoke of his hope for these tools to bridge technological gaps while preserving Tibetan identity. “Through Monlam AI, we are creating not only tools but a platform where the Tibetan language can thrive digitally,” he said. “Our language and culture can now be represented in ways that make it accessible globally while staying rooted in our traditions.”

The five tools aim to fulfill Monlam’s core aspirations by making the Tibetan language and knowledge more accessible in the digital world. The ‘Monlam Translate App’ enables seamless translation across voice, text, and image formats, allowing users to translate Tibetan into English and other languages effortlessly. The ‘Monlam Web Extension’ further supports this goal by allowing Tibetan readers to browse the internet with real-time translations of complex concepts, thereby broadening access to educational resources. ‘Monlam Nyamrub’ (Collaboration) fosters community involvement by inviting Tibetan users to actively contribute to building Tibetan AI resources, creating a sense of ownership and participation in Tibetan digital progress.

The ‘Monlam Keyboard’, optimized for mobile devices, offers easy and accurate Tibetan typing, helping users communicate effectively and supporting digital literacy within the Tibetan community. Lastly, the ‘Monlam Melong’(Tibetan Large Language Model, LLM), a key feature of Monlam’s recent developments, captures the richness of Tibetan language and culture. Designed to mirror Tibetan values and knowledge, it allows users to interact with AI in a way that generates text and answers questions. Together, these tools represent Monlam’s commitment to bridging technological gaps while preserving Tibetan linguistic and cultural heritage.

The event also celebrated Monlam’s accomplishments, highlighting that over 43 software applications have been developed under the centre’s guidance, with Geshe Monlam personally creating 37 of them. The Monlam Grand Dictionary alone has been accessed over 18 million times on iOS, with Android data expected to be even higher. Now comprising 223 volumes, the Monlam Grand Dictionary holds the distinction of being the largest dictionary in the world.