Orange has become the first telecom operator in Europe with direct access to OpenAI’s pre-release AI models, enhancing its innovation capabilities.
Orange, in collaboration with OpenAI and Meta, aims to fine-tune AI models to understand regional African languages like Wolof and Pulaar. This initiative focuses on improving customer support and fostering digital inclusion in Africa.
Steve Jarrett, Orange’s Chief AI Officer, said: “OpenAI’s models are the most popular, and it made financial sense for us to have a direct billing relationship. The models will be served from secure, Europe-hosted infrastructure.”
Over 50,000 Orange employees already use OpenAI models. Orange will train models like Meta’s Llama (text) and OpenAI’s Whisper (speech) to recognize African languages for customer support and public services. Orange will open-source these models for non-commercial use by governments, universities, and startups.
Orange will extend AI capabilities to all African languages across Orange’s 18-country footprint. It will use the simplest and most sustainable AI solutions to minimize environmental impact while ensuring affordability and accessibility. The African language recognition project will begin in the first half of 2025.
Orange’s partnership with OpenAI includes data hosting in Europe, boosting the European AI ecosystem. Orange believes the AI project serves as a blueprint for bridging the digital divide, especially for populations with limited literacy or access to technology.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
