PHOTO: SARAH BASTILLE PHOTOGRAPHY
“AI is a powerful tool that has left underserved communities without representation, and I want to change this,” says the senior from Denver, Colorado, a recipient of the Ashar Aziz Mens et Manus Scholarship. Baca has designed lessons for heritage learners of the Passamaquoddy language in Maine, and helped develop automatic speech recognition for Indigenous communities in North America. She is also developing ways to conduct the Maze task, a word-by-word reading test commonly used by researchers to gauge language processing, in Spanish. Through the English for Speakers of Other Languages Program, she has taught English classes for custodial staff, which she describes as“one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences” she has had at MIT, “as well as the most fun.”
Can you talk a little about your work with Indigenous languages?
A research project I’ve been involved with is the First Languages AI Reality initiative, which was created out of a project funded by MIT Solve, and aims to develop automatic speech recognition technology for Indigenous languages. Since large language models and automatic speech recognition technology require tons of data to train, many communities just don’t have the resources to contribute to that amount of data. So we’re trying to help them build their own resources by creating an app that works a little bit like Duolingo and keeps data in the hands of the communities.
I also have done research under [MIT linguistics] Professor Norvin Richards PhD ’97 with the Passamaquoddy community in Maine, investigating what sort of approaches work best for young learners of the language. I helped develop lessons that will be used with kindergartners and young school-age children who are heritage learners of the language.
We went up to Maine and I did some elicitation sessions with the elders. I had to jump in the deep end because I didn’t really know anything about the language before, and I had to be able to transcribe and listen to what they were saying. That was a big challenge. I can’t speak Passamaquoddy fluently, but I can read and get an idea of some of the words.
How has your life story inspired your interest in language?
Language is an integral component of identity. I think I realized that from a really young age. My grandparents spoke Spanish as a first language, but were punished in school for speaking it. I’m of mixed heritage, and part of my family is Indigenous to Colorado and New Mexico. Our Indigenous language was not passed on, which was a colonial tool that was used against many communities. I realized early on that language is a form of resistance and also a source of pride. Learning your heritage language is a way to connect with the community and find belonging. I think that’s a really beautiful thing.
What’s your favorite place at MIT?
I really like the Banana Lounge. There’s something about the vibe, with the dim lights and the plants, and you can always go get some bananas. I like studying and hanging out there. It’s very chill.
What’s an interest you’ve discovered since coming to MIT?
When I was in middle school, my mom had me taking lessons in Latin dance, which I didn’t appreciate enough at the time. I got involved in it again through the MIT Latin Dance Club, and really enjoyed performing. I definitely want to stay involved with dance in the future.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m currently in the midst of applying to PhD programs. I’m honestly really excited for whatever’s coming. I look at it as if the world’s my oyster and there are lots of different opportunities.
How has the Ashar Aziz Mens et Manus Scholarship made a difference in your life?
I don’t even have the words to describe how grateful I am for that support. I come from a single-parent, low-income household, and I wouldn’t have the opportunity to study at MIT if it weren’t for a scholarship. The first thing that comes to mind is an overwhelming sense of appreciation. Knowing someone recognizes your resilience and hard work and potential and sees beyond your struggles is really inspiring.