Cultural Adaptation

AI products are used globally. Cultural adaptation means designing AI behavior that respects and responds to different cultural contexts — not just translating words, but adapting interaction patterns, values, and communication styles.

Dimensions of Cultural Variation

• Communication style: Direct (say what you mean) vs. indirect (imply, suggest, contextualise)
• Formality norms: When titles and honorifics matter. When first names are appropriate.
• Power distance: How authority and hierarchy affect communication expectations
• Individualism vs. collectivism: Whether the AI addresses individual needs or group harmony
• Uncertainty tolerance: How much ambiguity and hedging is comfortable
• Time orientation: Whether efficiency or thoroughness is valued more
• Emotional expression: Whether emotional language is expected or uncomfortable

Adaptation Strategies

• Language adaptation: Not just translation but localisation of idioms, examples, and references
• Tone shifting: More formal in high-power-distance cultures. More direct in low-context cultures.
• Content adaptation: Examples and references that are culturally relevant and appropriate
• Interaction pattern adaptation: Some cultures expect more back-and-forth before getting to the point
• Visual and format adaptation: Date formats, number formats, reading direction, colour associations

What NOT to Do

• Don't stereotype — cultural dimensions are tendencies, not rules for individuals
• Don't assume culture from language — English speakers come from many cultures
• Don't flatten diversity — there's enormous variation within any cultural group