Thanks are due to Khun Pawut Pongwittayapanu from the Prachachon Party, as well as knowledgeable experts in AI technology, for raising concerns and "hmm" about the rushed decision to open and close bidding in the TH-AI Passport project by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) within a very short timeframe.
This project aims to upskill 5 million Thais in AI knowledge, with a value as high as 1.64 billion baht per year (excluding ongoing payments in subsequent years) through agents in consortium companies linked to the Blue Party network.
Importantly, the DES Ministry under Minister Chaiyachonok Chidchob has not engaged in transparent direct negotiations with the major AI technology owners as many other countries have done.
Furthermore, there has been no consultation with the Ministry of Education or Ministry of Labor in line with the government's upskilling and reskilling policies to attract investment into Thailand according to plans to develop a skilled workforce in technology...
Similarly, there has been no integration with directly related ministries such as the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), which is primarily responsible for overseeing and developing university education, research, science development, and innovation creation for national advancement.
Nevertheless, these concerns suggest that the DES Minister will review and open a forum to hear and exchange views with society again, especially regarding the Terms of Reference (TOR) or procurement context of the TH-AI Passport project, whose full title is the Digital and Artificial Intelligence Skills Enhancement Project for Thais.
Before hearing the exchange of ideas between project owners and concerned groups about procurement (available for download on the ministry's application).
I would like to invite readers to look at Singapore's workforce skills upgrading and lifelong learning projects, as Singapore is another country where the government seriously invests in preparing its citizens for the new economy.
Starting with the first project,
1. SkillsFuture: Government-funded lifelong learning support.
The government implements this by providing citizens with credits or financial support to enroll in accredited courses, including AI, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and other digital technologies, subsidizing tuition fees at a high rate for citizens and workers seeking to develop new skills.
2. AI courses for the general public, not just programmers.
Singapore developed the SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace 2.0 to help workers across all sectors understand digital technology and AI, covering various topics,
Even those without technical backgrounds can learn, as it is designed for general workers and those re-entering the labor market.
3. TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) project.
The Singapore government, through the Infocomm Media Development Authority, runs TeSA to develop tech career entrants, supporting in several ways such as
Including the National AI Impact Program, which enables both technical and non-technical workers to practically apply AI in their work.
4. AI Apprenticeship Programme (AIAP).
For those seeking to become AI engineers or machine learning specialists, the government offers intensive internships through AI Singapore, featuring aims to produce AI professionals ready to work immediately, such as
5. Collaboration with universities and the private sector.
Singapore does not rely solely on the government to teach but partners with universities, training institutes, and technology companies to offer accredited AI courses eligible for SkillsFuture subsidies.
Now let's look at interesting points for Thailand.
Singapore's success is not just about offering AI courses but creating an ecosystem of lifelong learning interconnected through
This allows Singaporeans to continuously learn new technologies and adapt promptly to changes in AI and the digital economy.
Singapore's AI skill development and upskilling model has attracted interest from many countries wishing to adapt it to their own societies. Compared to Thailand's context under the DES Ministry, Singapore is considerably ahead, especially in terms of the "system" rather than just the "courses."
Realistically, expanding AI access by the DES Ministry is on the right track, but procurement through intermediaries requires explanation. Meanwhile, Singapore, free from such obstacles, has advanced to creating economic incentives for people to successfully complete AI learning.
Expanding opportunities for Thais to access technology is inherently justified. What remains is for Minister Chaiyachonok to prove the honesty and transparency of procurement processes for the country's future, the Thai people, himself, and the government.