Bangkok: During the recent visit of the Thai Prime Minister and his delegation to the People's Republic of China, one of the most closely watched aspects was the signing of numerous Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), particularly in the areas of technology development and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Dr. Paijit Viboonthanasarn, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Thai Chamber of Commerce in China and former Commercial Attach© at the Thai Embassy in Beijing, offered an interesting perspective on President Xi Jinping's vision as announced at the World AI Conference in Shanghai.
According to Thai News Agency, China has a systematic AI development plan outlined through three challenging phases aimed at establishing itself as a global AI leader by 2030. The first phase, targeted for 2020, involves matching the pace of world leaders such as the USA. By 2025, China aims to create innovations on par with international standards, as exemplified by projects like DeepSeek. The final phase aims for China to become the world leader in AI by 2030. Currently, China is the closest competitor to the United States, with the US leading in advanced chips, while China holds an advantage in cost and manufacturing efficiency for high-tech technologies.
One of the key issues China is promoting is the "Global AI Governance Initiative" and the establishment of the Global AI Cooperation Organization in Shanghai, signed by nearly 30 countries. China views AI development as needing parallel control to mitigate the risks of misused algorithms, military applications, or privacy violations. The initiative aims to prevent "Artificial Dominance," ensuring that AI development is governed by sustainable and flexible rules.
China's "AI Plus" strategy highlights its vision of AI as more than just a technological advancement. The strategy aims to upgrade production and lifestyles, incorporating AI into various sectors such as navigation systems, voice translation, and precision agriculture. This inclusive approach ensures that AI remains "accessible to everyone."
For Thailand, the signing of the MOU on technology and space, specifically the Beidou satellite, marks a significant opportunity. Dr. Paijit emphasizes the potential of leveraging AI to advance Thailand's agricultural industry and develop human resources. China is prepared to offer specialized training at 5,000 locations worldwide and create AI application centers in the region.
Dr. Paijit concluded with advice for entrepreneurs and Thai citizens to adopt a positive outlook on AI. The future economic landscape will favor those who effectively utilize AI over those who do not. Failure to adapt to the rapid technological advancements may result in being left behind, much like a train carriage with its pins removed.
In conclusion, whether Thailand is a front-row or second-tier member of a global AI organization, the priority should be on preparation, building understanding, and learning effective AI use. This approach will ensure the stable and sustainable growth of businesses and individuals in the competitive technology landscape.