Blak Focus December 2025 Edition – “Making kin with the machines” – Indigenous Futures in AI
It has been a few months since the last edition of Black Focus in July. Indigenous Programs has been busy with an important research project.
In the July edition, we explored how artificial intelligence (AI) reflects bias and what happens when machine learning reproduces this bias. Drawing on Lewis, Artisa, Pechawis and Kite’s (2018) idea of ‘making kin with the machines’, I asked whether Indigenous knowledges could transform AI.
In this edition, I turn to examples of AI research, consultation and uses from across Australia and beyond. Indigenous communities are using or experimenting with AI and GenAI in ways that reframe what technology can be and how it should serve community need.
I want to reassure you we haven’t forgotten you and that Blak Focus will continue into 2026. However, we will aim to publish fewer editions that coincide with Deakin’s teaching and learning schedules. In 2026, we will also invite guest writers to contribute on a range of topics. If you would like to contribute, please email lib-indigenous@deakin.edu.au
Indigenous-led research and digital inclusions
Smith, in Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples discusses research as a site of power and the historical problematics of research in Indigenous spaces and “it’s absolute usefulness to those who wielded it as an instrument” (Smith, p 3). Smith also points out that “research is an integral part of the political structure” (Smith, p 145) and on a global scale it informs our ways of knowing.
“It seems rather difficult to conceive of an Indigenous research agenda on such a scale. To imagine self-determination, however is also to imagine a world in which Indigenous peoples become active participants, and to prepare for the possibilities and challenges that lie ahead” (Smith, p 145).
Smith in discussing training Indigenous researchers discusses ‘insider/outsider research’ (2021). Western research has often been based on the outsider or objective perspectives. Smith argues that much like Feminist and critical approaches, Indigenous researchers consider the spaces of insider and outsider perspectives (2021, p 156). Even as an Indigenous person within Indigenous knowledge systems and community contexts you might be an insider for some knowledge and an outsider for other knowledge. This understanding of Indigenous standpoint and methods of engagement and research is incredibly important for the academy to contextualise how Indigenous-led research is different from purely Western research paradigms. This also influences perspectives and policies related to technology and digital inclusion.
The Counting on Connectivity: Measuring Digital Inclusion for First Nations Australians report describes digital inclusion:
“Digital inclusion means having reliable, safe and affordable access to the internet and digital technologies, along with the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to participate fully in social, cultural, and economic life”(Featherstone D, Parkinson S, Hawkins L, Barton A, Louie Y, Ormond- Parker L, Loban H, Johnson Y, Thomas J, Hegarty K. 2025, p 8).
The report emphasises the key factors affecting digital inclusion related to remoteness, age, gender, household activities, education, employment, disability, access, affordability and digital ability (Featherstone. et al. 2025). Further, the report highlights next steps related to the accelerated change of technology and,
“Rising reliance on automated and online systems including AI makes digital capability and confidence essential. These tools can widen participation but may also deepen inequalities. Our measurement will keep evolving so that indicators capture emerging realities and risks.” (Featherstone. et al. 2025, p71)
As also highlighted in the last Blak Focus edition, for AI and GenAI to serve Indigenous peoples and communities it needs to be based on Indigenous knowledge systems and ways of being, knowing and doing. Understanding AI and transforming it is incredibly important for Indigenous peoples to be included in the digital economy.
The Abundant Intelligence, an Indigenous research project, aims to explore how AI is currently used to synthesise Indigenous knowledge practices with mainstream knowledge, ‘conceptualise novel AI systems’ and ‘bring Indigenous perspectives to bear on technical challenges facing AI research (Abundant Intelligence, n.d.)’. The project hosts research presentation related to things such as AI supply chains, policy and governance of AI and Indigenous data sovereignty. The team is comprised of researchers from across Canada, The United States of America and Aotearoa/New Zealand. I’d recommend reading through the latest news to see upcoming presentations, which anyone can join online.
Using AI with Indigenous knowledges
The use of AI and GenAI to assist with cultural learning and preservation is an important change in AI development. AI and GenAI as tools can be used in ways that are innovative and accessible and responsive to community needs. I assisted with an Ideas Box with the State Library of Western Australian and Libraries without Borders, in Yungngora Community, an Aboriginal community in the Kimberely, Western Australian. I can tell you from first-hand experience, iPads and technology were the most used items, books not so much.
Ngalia Country – two way science app
On Ngalia Country in Western Australia, Traditional Owners are using AI to safeguard language and knowledge. The Ngalia Heritage Research Council and Elders collaborated with Kiwa Digital – CultureQ™ to produce the Mamutjitji Story.
The two-way science app was created to help students learn about the life cycle of mamutjitji (antlion) on Ngalia Country. The Mamutjitji Story app is also an archival system that aids with language and cultural knowledge preservation and has enhanced features that ‘automatically identifies sacred data and applies enhanced security measures’ (Jenkins, 2025). The app uses Amazon Bedrock GenAI technology and provides ‘text to speech, voice generation, translation capabilities and a chat function’ (Jenkins, 2025). The Research Council and Kiwa Digital created two-way science activity to complement learning with the app. The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority have also created a two-way science at Leonora to complement the learning. The Mamutjitji Story app was produced as a joint initiative by Ngalia Heritage Research Council, Walkatjurra Cultural Centre, CSIRO and Australia’s National Science Agency.
Quinkan Country Rock Art
On Quinkan Country, near Laura in Far North Queensland, sits a significant Indigenous rock art site. The paintings date back to approximately 17,000 years and depict figures from traditional stories of the Western Yalanji, Kuku Warra, Possum and (Balnggarrwarra) Guugu Yimidhirr people (DCCEEW, 2024).
Western Yalanji Traditional Owners with Elders, have partnered with the Laura Indigenous Rangers and Laura State School, technology and drone companies and Griffith University to find and map sites and paintings. Renee Cluff in How artificial intelligence is re-discovering lost Quinkan rock art in remote Cape York discussed the project with KJR staff. It is remote and rugged and can be difficult to access sites by vehicle. Drones, in conjunction with traditional knowledge, are used to scout where a site might be. The sites are tagged using Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and photographs are taken. A visit on foot might also be needed to verify some paintings and sites or determine if it should be photographed further based on things like men’s or women’s business. AI is then used to help with some of the classification of the paintings (Cluff, 2022).
Griffith University worked with the Rangers and Elders to ‘lead design of a culturally appropriate AI prototype to digitally catalogue the rock art motifs’ (2023b). For example, identifying kangaroo paintings based on Traditional Owners’ understanding of each species and how they are portrayed in the rock art paintings. Dr Troy Meston (Gamiloroi) Curriculum Development Lead described young people’s inclination to use technology and the importance of AI in learning.
“The idea of using machine learning and AI on country and connected to ancient sandstone rock art sites is an innovative way to expose Indigenous kids to opportunities they wouldn’t necessarily get” (Griffith University, 2023b).
Partners in the project include Athena AI, Emesent, Flyfreely, Maxus AI, World of Drones Education, KJR and supported by the Pearl Jam’s Vitality Foundation.
As we look toward 2026 Blak Focus will continue to hold space for these conversations where Indigenous sovereignty, digital futures and collective responsibility converge. ‘Making kin with the machines’ is a provocation and ongoing invitation to reimagine how technology, research and Indigenous knowledge systems can be shaped by, for and with Indigenous peoples and communities.
Authored by Tui Raven, Senior Manager, Indigenous Programs.
References
Abundant Intelligence. (2024). https://abundant-intelligences.net/about/#research
Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (n.d.) Two-way science at Leonora: investigating the Mamutjitji (antlion) and other invertebrates
https://v8.australiancurriculum.edu.au/resources/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-histories-and-cultures/illustrations-of-practice/two-way-science-at-leonora-investigating-the-mamutjitji-antlion-and-other-invertebrates/
Cluff, Renee. (2022). How artificial intelligence is re-discovering lost Quinkan rock art in remote Cape York in Tropic Now 23 August 2022 https://www.tropicnow.com.au/2022/august/23/how-artificial-intelligence-is-re-discovering-lost-quinkan-rock-art-in-remote-cape-york
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCEEEW). (2024). Cultural Landscapes of Cape York Peninsula added to Australia’s UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/about/news/cultural-landscapes-cape-york-peninsula-australias-unesco-world-heritage-tentative-list
Featherstone D, Parkinson S, Hawkins L, Barton A, Louie Y, Ormond- Parker L, Loban H, Johnson Y, Thomas J, Hegarty K, (2025). Counting on Connectivity: Measuring Digital Inclusion for First Nations Australians in 2025, Melbourne: ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society. https://doi.org/10.60836/qjpb-0579
Griffith University. (2023a). Preserving Aboriginal rock art with cutting-edge AI https://www.griffith.edu.au/advancement/giving/why-giving-matters/preserving-aboriginal-rock-art-with-cutting-edge-ai
Griffith University. (2023b). Rock stars help accelerate rock art preservation and rural digital literacy project.
https://news.griffith.edu.au/2023/10/06/rock-stars-help-accelerate-rock-art-preservation-and-rural-digital-literacy-project/
Jenkins, K. (2025) Preserving cultural knowledge and language using AI in National Indigenous Times 21 February 2025 https://nit.com.au/21-02-2025/16422/preserving-cultural-knowledge-and-language-using-ai
Kiwa Digital. (n.d.). Mamutjitji Story https://kiwadigital.com/projects/mamutjitji-story-a-dreamtime-narrative/
Kiwa Digital. (n.d) Kiwa Digital Services – CultureQ™ https://kiwadigital.com/services/
Libraries without Borders (Bibliothèques Sans Frontières). (n.d.) Ideas Box https://www.librarieswithoutborders.org/ideasbox/
Lewis, J. E., Arista, N., Pechawis, A., & Kite, S. (2018). Making Kin with the Machines. Journal of Design and Science. https://doi.org/10.21428/bfafd97b
Ngalia Heritage Research Council (Aboriginal Corporation) (n.d.). https://www.ngalia.org/home
Smith, L. T. (2021). Decolonizing Methodologies : research and indigenous peoples. Zed Books. Retrieved from https://research.ebsco.com/c/np77rt/search/details/lmzqdzk6qf?db=nlebk
Spencer, E. (2017) Ticking all the right boxes in Incite Australian Library and Information Association January/February 2017 p. 17 https://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/inCiteALIA/2017/3.pdf