Parties tout digital tech in poll campaigns

Are Thais being asked to vote for a sustainable digital future, or just for flashy gadgetry, writes Suchit Leesa-nguansuk

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As many political parties' election campaigns highlight the use of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to help revitalise Thailand, IT pundits suggest that such populist AI policies should be implemented carefully and that more needs to be done to ensure the country's sustainable digital future.

BEYOND THE BUZZWORDS

Chanwit Boonchuay, president of the Artificial Intelligence Entrepreneur Association of Thailand (AIEAT), said Thailand is stuck in the digital middle-income trap, and the only way out is innovation.

He added that every major party is now campaigning on AI, big data and smart platforms.

On the surface, this appears to be a victory for the tech community. But he asked whether we are being asked to vote for a sustainable digital future, or just for flashy gadgetry.

He said the "super app" proposed by the Pheu Thai Party is pitching a "centralised digital integration" model.

Its vision of the super app to consolidate all government services could improve service efficiency. However, its proposal for an "AI Lawyer" — a state-run chatbot trained in Thai law to give free legal advice — requires careful implementation.

Technologically, large language models can occasionally generate incorrect information, known as hallucinations, Mr Chanwit said.

"In a legal context, accuracy is paramount to avoid liability issues. Without a rigorous 'human-in-the-loop' framework, we must ensure the system does not inadvertently provide incorrect advice."

Furthermore, centralising the health and financial data of 66 million Thais into one super app requires the highest standards of cybersecurity to protect against potential breaches. Efficiency must be balanced with robust digital sovereignty and privacy.

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