Portuguese language expands to digital territory
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Portugal’s future depends on establishing Portuguese as a language of knowledge and innovation in the digital world.
For centuries, Portugal has linked territory, institutions, identity, and language. Now, the country faces a new frontier, a digital territory built on data, algorithms, and artificial intelligence, where languages can gain or lose prominence. The author argues that simply having many Portuguese speakers is not enough. Portugal must ensure a strong, high-quality presence in the digital spaces where future knowledge is created.
The European Union recognizes this need and will release tools in 2026 to evaluate language models, including a Portuguese version. Protecting the language now requires more than traditional methods like teaching and archiving. Portugal must also preserve its digital linguistic heritage by organizing and making accessible knowledge from libraries, research, and universities. The author stresses that the goal isn’t to compete with English, but to maintain Portuguese’s ability to express new ideas and complex thinking.
Ultimately, Portugal can lead a collaborative effort with other Portuguese-speaking countries to expand digital knowledge and ensure the language remains a vehicle for thought and innovation for centuries to come.
