Thailand pushes AI for allーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS
2 Video Views·Oct 27, 2026
Thailand is promoting the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) among its entire population, aiming to enhance digital literacy, improve quality of life, foster innovation, and build a sustainable and inclusive digital economy.
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Video Summary
AI GeneratedThe Thai government has launched \"THAI Passport,\" a $48 million initiative to boost AI literacy and bridge the digital divide. By providing free access to approximately 30 paid AI models for citizens aged 15 and over, the program aims to empower 5 million people to enhance their daily lives and improve national competitiveness in an increasingly AI-driven global economy.
Generative AI is widely expected to boost productivity,
despite ongoing concerns about its risks.
Adoption rates vary greatly around the world.
In Thailand, where AI use lags the global average,
efforts are underway to bring the technology to more people.
NHK World's Ari Phumchan reports.
The Thai government launched a new project
in August to boost AI literacy.
THAI Passport
Called THAI Passport, the program provides
users free access to about 30 paid AI models
for up to one year
when they sign up through the government-run platform.
The project is open to Thai citizens aged 15
and over and is expected to be accessible
To 5 million people.
The government plans to invest about $48 million in the initiative,
aiming to narrow the digital divide.
Our intention is to make it for people who have more difficulties
or limitations to access the paid model,
to be able to use and try and improve their everyday life.
The initiative is also finding its way into classrooms.
At this technical college in Chiang Mai, all 4,000 students
are being encouraged to sign up with the government platform.
School officials hope students will develop
the skills to use AI effectively by comparing
the information generated by different models.
Tirapon Pinta is one of the students
on the government platform.
A single question can be answered by multiple AI models,
allowing users to access a variety of responses.
Thai
P
I
A question about travel in Japan produced very different answers.
Do
What
Are
You
Doing
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ChatGPT, it saved Tokyo, it decided for you,
I
Can
Do
What
but Claude is going to create a list
Are
You
Doing
of must places that Thai people like.
Here
I
You can choose what you prefer.
Tira
Do
What
Geropon hopes to someday work for a major hardware firm.
Are
You
Doing
Here
He believes developing AI skills will be crucial to his career.
I
Can
Do
What
Are
If you don't know how to use AI, you might lose your job,
or people with AI skills will be able to work much faster than you.
Some worry about AI's impact on young people,
but educators see benefits.
I think it would be suitable for youth who already have knowledge
and then use the information to build on it.
As AI increasingly becomes a part of everyday life, the skills
needed to use it may one day shape people's quality of life.
The Thai government believes an AI-ready population
is key to its future competitiveness.
Ari Phumchan, NHK World, Bangkok.