Transcending Fixed Meanings: Exploring the Impact of Linguistic Relativism on Adaptive Language Models in Generative AI

Abstract

This research paper aims to start a discourse exploring the impact of linguistic relativism on adaptive language models within the field of generative AI, challenging the traditional fixed-meaning approach to natural language processing (NLP). It argues for a shift towards more personalised AI systems that can adapt to individual users' language nuances, rather than relying solely on large datasets with predetermined meanings. The current NLP models, based on conventional semantics, assume that language has a stable, objective reality where words have universally accepted meanings. This approach limits AI's ability to understand and generate language that reflects personal or contextual variations. The paper debates that generative AI should move towards a model that embraces the fluidity and subjectivity of language, where meanings are not fixed but can change depending on the speaker's intent or the situational context. This would involve incorporating user-specific data and situational awareness into AI systems, enabling them to interpret not just the literal meanings of words but also the speaker's intentions and the circumstantial cues that may alter these meanings. Such an approach would lead to the development of AI systems that are more adaptive and sensitive to the nuances of personal expression and contextual interpretation. However, the paper also acknowledges the potential ethical challenges associated with this approach. If AI systems are designed to allow for fluid and personalized meanings, they could be manipulated to shape public discourse in ways that reflect the biases or intentions of their developers. This raises concerns about the potential misuse of AI in influencing perceptions and realities, particularly when the fluidity of language is taken to an extreme where communication becomes chaotic and ineffective. Ultimately, suggesting personalised language models offer significant potential for enhancing AI's ability to understand and generate human-like language, there is a need for a balance between individual linguistic creativity and the communal aspects of language that ensure effective communication. The paper concludes that integrating linguistic relativism into AI models could advance the theoretical understanding of language in AI, but it must be approached with caution to avoid undermining the stability and clarity essential for meaningful human interaction.