Robots Don't Speak Icelandic: Technology Is Killing Iceland's Language

Languages are constantly evolving, and many have come and gone during the course of human history. Is Icelandic about to head into obscurity? The Associated Press reported it could be in danger of dying just like Latin, the language spoken by the once powerful ancient Romans. "The revered Icelandic language, seen by many as a source of identity and pride, is being undermined by the widespread use of English, both for mass tourism and in the voice-controlled artificial intelligence devices coming into vogue," the AP said. Asgeir Jonsson, an economics professor at the University of Iceland, told the news service, "Not being able to speak Icelandic to voice-activated fridges, interactive robots and similar devices would be yet another lost field."