PRESENTATION
Presentation Title:
Indigenous Knowledge Meets Artificial Intelligence: The Role of Libraries in Protecting and Digitising Oral Traditions in Papua New Guinea
Presenter:
Kebet Liven
Workshop Date:
Thursday 14 May 2026 | 1:30pm – 2:00pm
Presentation Description:
Across Papua New Guinea (PNG), indigenous knowledge systems remain largely oral, embedded in storytelling, ceremonies, song, and lived practice. These traditions are invaluable cultural assets, yet they face risks of erosion in the face of globalization, generational change, and limited documentation infrastructure. Libraries and information professionals are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap by integrating ICT and artificial intelligence (AI) into strategies for preserving, curating, and sharing indigenous knowledge.
This presentation explores the opportunities and challenges of digitising oral traditions in PNG, drawing on global debates about knowledge sovereignty, data ethics, and the decolonisation of information management. It examines practical approaches such as audio-visual digitisation, natural language processing for Tok Pisin and local dialects, and metadata frameworks sensitive to cultural protocols that can enable libraries to act as guardians and mediators of heritage. At the same time, it critically reflects on risks: Who owns the data once digitised? How do we respect cultural boundaries in open access systems? What safeguards are necessary when AI systems interact with indigenous narratives?
Through a case study lens, this paper situates PNG’s experience within the broader international LIS context, showing how libraries in resource-constrained and culturally diverse settings can pioneer innovative yet respectful practices. Delegates will gain insight into how Pacific libraries are experimenting with ICT-enabled preservation while balancing local values, global technologies, and community-driven governance.
Ultimately, the presentation argues that the future of libraries is not only digital but intercultural: a space where innovation supports cultural continuity, and where librarians become custodians of both knowledge and ethics in the AI era.
Kebet Liven
Librarian, Papua New Guinea National Research Institute
Presenter Bio
Kebet Liven is a professional librarian and information & communication specialist from Papua New Guinea with over nine years of experience in library and records management, digital information services, and knowledge preservation. They have worked extensively with Pacific Adventist University, Institute of Business Studies University and currently serves with Papua New Guinea National Research Institute .
Qualifications include a Graduate Diploma in Information Technology (Business Analysis) from Queensland University of Technology, Australia, and a Bachelor of Arts in Information and Communication Sciences from the University of Papua New Guinea. The academic and professional journey reflects a strong interest in the intersection of ICT, indigenous knowledge, and library innovation.
Contributions to the sector are as a Media and Communications Officer, Publications Executive for the PNG Library and Information Association, and as a student leader in international forums, including serving as Media and Publicity Officer for the Queensland University Technology PNG Students Association whilst being a student. Current professional and research interests include digital inclusion, ethical knowledge management, and the role of AI in preserving oral traditions and cultural heritage.
Having spoken in institutional and professional settings in PNG and abroad, delivering presentations on information management, digital literacy, and public sector governance. With a blend of practical experience, academic insight, and a passion for cultural preservation, they bring a Pacific perspective to global Library and Information Science conversations, positioning libraries as central agents of both innovation and cultural continuity.