Bangkok: The government is accelerating the training of civil servants for the AI era, focusing on seven digital skills to upgrade modern government services and meet the needs of the public. Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government is moving forward with upgrading the civil service system to be ready for changes in the digital and AI era, in accordance with the policy of Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilapraphan. He was assigned by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul to oversee the development of the civil service system and public sector personnel. The goal is to create a streamlined, modern public sector that utilizes technology to increase work efficiency.
According to Thai News Agency, the government prioritizes the adoption of digital technology and AI to improve government services, reducing redundant processes, minimizing paperwork, and making government services easier, faster, and more transparent for citizens. Simultaneously, the development of government personnel is crucial. Future civil servants must not only be technologically proficient but also understand data, digital laws, cybersecurity, and be able to effectively apply technology to their work.
The Deputy Prime Minister has outlined a plan for the Thai civil service to adapt its working methods by incorporating AI and digital technology to assist with routine tasks, document verification, data linkage, and some control functions. This will free up civil servants' time for policy work, problem analysis, and designing services that better meet the needs of the public, Ms. Ratchada said.
The spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office stated that the Civil Service Commission (CSC) recently approved the initiative to develop digital skills for civil servants and public sector personnel, in accordance with the Public Sector Personnel Development Guidelines 2023-2027. This framework outlines seven key skill areas, including understanding and using digital technology, compliance with digital laws, digital leadership, application of technology, developing innovative services, data utilization, and cybersecurity.
The Civil Service Commission will develop skills that align with the roles of each group of personnel, including operational staff, supervisors, and managers. It will also differentiate target groups between those directly involved in technology and those who need to use technology in their general work, ensuring that the development programs are relevant to the mission and practically applicable.
This initiative will be implemented in collaboration with three main agencies: the Professional Qualification Institute, the Digital Government Development Agency (DGA), and the Office of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission. These agencies will oversee the digital skills and competency assessment system, provide skills development courses, and certify the courses to ensure they align with the skills framework set by the Civil Service Commission.
The government aims to enable civil servants to concretely apply digital skills in their work and in providing services to the public by 2027. This includes providing services through e-Services, submitting applications via e-Forms, making payments via e-Payment, receiving documents via e-Documents, and designing new services that reduce procedures, facilitate convenience, and improve the quality of government services to meet the needs of citizens in the digital age.