Bangkok: Dr. Alongkot supports moving forward with the TH-AI Passport, stating that the 1.6 billion baht budget is worthwhile.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Alongkot Maneekas, the Chairman of the Committee on Communications, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy and Society, emphasizes the project's focus on human resource development and reducing educational inequality. The government plans to cover expenses based on actual costs and will invite all parties to discuss the Terms of Reference (TOR) next week.
Dr. Alongkot revealed the details of the TH-AI Passport project, which is valued at over 1.6 billion baht. During field visits to students, online entrepreneurs, and businesses in Nakhon Phanom province, there was a significant demand for the project, with calls for its swift implementation. The project aims to lower the costs associated with purchasing professional-level AI packages from private companies, currently priced at 200-300 baht per month, and to ensure equal access to advanced technology.
Questions have arisen regarding the project's limitation to 5 million participants. Dr. Alongkot explained that this is a pilot project, and compared to the budget for a single road, it is a minimal investment that could significantly impact human resource development and educational equity. He stressed the importance of AI technology across various sectors, including agriculture, labor, and medicine. Failure to adopt these technologies could result in missed opportunities for the country.
Concerns about the pricing in the draft TOR, which caps the service fee at 27 baht per person per month, were addressed by the Chairman of the DES Committee. He clarified that the government will only pay for services actually used, ensuring no unnecessary costs. The committee remains impartial and is not favoring any specific private company.
On June 22nd, the House Committee on Digital Economy and Society plans to invite over 30 representatives from AI entrepreneurship associations to discuss the project's packages and provide their insights. The committee, alongside the Minister of Digital Economy and Society, aims to ensure the project's legality and continuation, provided it aligns with government regulations. A decision is expected next week to prevent the country from losing valuable opportunities.