Dr. Noppadol points out that AI is already 70 years old, the world is fiercely competing, but Thailand is still debating what AI is, warning that Thai people are being left behind.
On 9 June 2026, Associate Professor Dr. Noppadol Kannika, lecturer in Peace Process Innovation at the Faculty of Public Administration and advisor to the Digital Faculty at Siam Technology College, as well as representative of the Academic Network for Creative AI Advancement at the Community Happiness Research Institute based at Mahidol University, said that most AI historians agree that AI (Artificial Intelligence) originated in 1956 or Buddhist Era 2499. This is considered the birth year of AI, about 70 years ago, marking the Dartmouth Summer Research Project on Artificial Intelligence at Dartmouth College, USA, where computer scientist John McCarthy first officially used the term AI.
This means AI is not a new technology but has been developing continuously for over 70 years. What is new is the speed at which AI is transforming the world. Today, in 2026, AI plays a role in all aspects of life—from education, medicine, agriculture, industry, commerce, public services, cybersecurity, to national security. While many Thais still ask what AI is, other countries are competing in AI and no longer ask what AI is, but rather how to use AI to increase citizens' incomes, improve quality of life, and enhance their countries' competitiveness.
What I observe from social media trends is that many Thais do not reject AI but are asking important questions that the government should clearly answer. I see these questions as beneficial to making the TH-AI Passport better, more transparent, and truly effective for the people.
The first question is: Is the budget worthwhile?
In my view, the project's value should not be measured solely by "how much is spent" but by whether it truly helps more Thais use AI. If AI helps farmers reduce costs, entrepreneurs increase sales, teachers lessen workloads, students access knowledge, workers improve productivity, and citizens earn more income, the project is not an expense but an investment in the country's human capital.
The second question is: Who benefits?
The beneficiaries should not be any single company but the people—farmers, students, teachers, entrepreneurs, workers, the elderly, people with disabilities, and the nation as a whole. If the project is designed transparently, is auditable, and measured with people at the center, the benefits will reach all Thai citizens.
The third question is: Is it transparent?
The government should clearly disclose the level of AI access available to the public, the extent of use, any limitations, who operates it, how results are measured, and how personal data is protected. The more disclosure, the greater the trust, because a good project should not fear scrutiny. For example, some people wonder why the government does not directly procure AI services from companies. The answer is that according to the Public Procurement and Supplies Management Act B.E. 2560 (2017), government agencies must operate under principles of fair competition, cost-effectiveness, and transparency, except in legally specified exceptions.
Additionally, some question why the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the TH-AI Passport took only about 30 days to prepare. In practice, one should distinguish between the "TOR preparation period" and the "development of concepts and project preparation" since although the TOR initiates the procurement process, the ideas, policies, research, and project readiness may have started earlier.
Therefore, the number of days spent preparing the TOR alone is insufficient to conclude whether the project is abnormal. Society should collectively consider whether sufficient study and analysis support it, whether the process is transparent, and whether the people will truly benefit.
If done properly, this is not an AI giveaway project but an investment in the future of all Thai people.
We should clearly show the public that the TH-AI Passport is not just "free access for one year" but must answer how it improves lives, based on these five questions.
1. What will Thais gain?
Thais will have the opportunity to access Pro/Premium level AI at costs normally unaffordable to the general public, which if purchased individually might cost hundreds to thousands of baht per month per platform. The project aims to lower this barrier for 5 million people to try advanced tools under the principle of "Learn to Earn"—learn, use, increase productivity, increase income.
Examples: Farmers use AI to plan fertilization, design irrigation, get timely advice and expert AI support, reducing costs and increasing yields; online sellers use AI to write ads and boost sales; students use AI as tutors and to present and build on discoveries for lifelong learning; teachers use AI to reduce paperwork; the elderly use AI to access health information and government services; and AI helps reduce inequality among people with disabilities in accessing AI.
2. How much access will people have?
The public should get clear answers about which AI versions, levels, quotas, tokens, or credits are available monthly, and what tasks they can perform. Currently, public data states the project is designed for 5 million people aged 15 and above to access premium AI for one year, with usage allocated via a central platform.
An example of the government's response should be: "General users receive basic rights sufficient for real learning and use, while those completing courses or using AI professionally receive additional rights based on measurable results."
Why 5 million people? This answer relies on universal social science theory: 5 million people, about 8-10% of the working-age population, approaches what social scientists call the “critical mass” of change—a sufficient level to trigger broad behavioral shifts in the economy, education, labor market, and society.
This aligns with Everett Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory, which explains that new technology impacts society only when enough users adopt it, leading to acceptance and continuous spread.
Therefore, the figure of 5 million should not be viewed just as a budget number but as a strategic goal to create enough Thais to positively transform and advance the country.
3. How will results be measured?
Measurement should go beyond "registering 5 million people" to assessing "actual impact." This includes output metrics like participant numbers and program completions; outcome metrics such as attitude changes and AI usage direction; and impact metrics like increased income, reduced costs, improved AI skills, sustained safe AI use, and more.
4. What will the country gain?
The country will gain a new human capital era, more Thais proficient in AI, more productive workers, more competitive entrepreneurs, and a reduced gap between those who can afford AI and the general public. If successful, this project transforms from a "technology expense" into an "investment in citizens' capabilities."
For example, if 5 million Thais each save just one hour of work per week, it would generate millions of new productive hours weekly—an economic return that should be measured.
5. What will the country lose if it does not act?
If not done, Thailand not only misses opportunity but risks being left behind in the 21st century's most crucial competition. While many countries rapidly develop AI-capable citizens to boost income, productivity, and innovation, Thailand may have many people still only "have used" AI but cannot create real value for life and economy. The consequence is not just diminished competitiveness but lost income, lost jobs, disadvantaged businesses, and missed opportunities for younger generations overtaken step by step by others—falling so far behind they may vanish from view.
It is worrying that if we still debate what AI is or remain unfamiliar with AI, the real question might not be AI itself but whether we can keep pace with global changes. Today, many countries no longer ask "whether to use AI" but "how to make their people proficient in AI."
A Deloitte study found Southeast Asia is among the world's highest users of Generative AI. Over 90% of students in the region have used AI, over 72% of employees use AI at work, and Singapore has many people using AI daily in life, education, and work.
Data published in 2024 shows most Singaporeans use AI daily or at work, with about one-third (33.3%) using it every day. Moreover, recent surveys indicate about 80% of Singaporeans and over 90% of Singaporean students continuously use AI in various forms.
Looking at Thailand today, a Super Poll survey found over 90% of Thais have heard of AI, about 70% have used AI at least once, and more than 60% conditionally support the TH AI Passport.
These figures are not contradictory but depend on the questions asked. They reflect the same picture: "Thais know about AI and many have started trying it." The key underlying issue is that many Thais are still more in the "have used" phase rather than "proficient use."
I emphasize this because throughout my education and work, including studying data science and methodology at the University of Michigan, USA, as well as computer science, IT, cybersecurity, and public policy strategy at Georgetown University, Washington D.C., although I studied with foreigners, I always follow King Rama V’s teaching: learning from foreigners is not to become foreigners but to keep pace with them and bring benefits back to Thailand and all Thais.
Therefore, I see that although AI is 70 years old, Thais are still debating. If the debate remains focused only on budget, procedures, or technical details, we may miss a more important question: Is Thailand preparing its people for the AI era? While many countries are rapidly building AI-proficient citizens to increase income, productivity, and competitiveness, Thailand cannot afford to miss this vital opportunity due to ideological conflicts or unproven fears.
The world is not competing over who debates better but over who develops their people better for the future. The world does not wait for Thailand, and AI does not wait for the people. If the TH-AI Passport can help millions of Thais move from "have used AI" to "proficient in AI," using it safely to increase income, reduce costs, and create new opportunities for themselves and their families, this project will not just be a government technology initiative but a major national human capital investment. It is time for Thais not just to follow global technology but to use it to build a stable, prosperous, and sustainable future for Thailand together.
Therefore, Thailand's challenge today is not how to get people to have used AI, but how to enable Thais to be proficient users of AI.