In a bid to harness the power of big data for social and economic progress, the Thai government, led by Mr Prasert Chandraruangthong, Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DE), has unveiled the Big Data Institute’s (BDI) new role in shaping the future through data. The initiative, titled “Power the Future with Data – The Next Chapter of BDI,” aims to harness the power of big data and AI to drive economic and societal growth in the digital era.
Thailand has long recognised the importance of data in its growth trajectory. The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa), operating under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES), has actively promoted the use of big data for national progress, including during the tenure of the GBDi. The previous institute successfully streamlined over 100 projects undertaken by 67 state agencies and was crucial in developing platforms to support these initiatives.
At the meeting, key figures attended, including Professor Wisit Wisitsaratha, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Affairs, Mr Suthikiat Veerakijpanich, Advisor to the Minister, Mr Wanlop Rujirakorn, Secretary to the Minister, and Associate Professor Dr Theeranee Ajalakul, Director of the Big Data Institute, highlighting the institute’s collaborative efforts with government agencies.
In his address, Mr Prasert highlighted the pivotal role of the Big Data Institute in leveraging big data to propel the country forward. He emphasised the institute’s role in bridging the gap between government agencies, enabling them to utilise various information sources for maximum benefit. This approach, he noted, is crucial for accelerating national development and enhancing the quality of life for citizens in a sustainable manner.
“Big data is critical because it provides valuable insights, patterns, and trends from vast amounts of structured and unstructured data. By leveraging big data, organisations and societies can enhance decision-making, optimise operations, and drive innovation across various sectors,” Mr Prasert explained.
Further, Mr Prasert underscored the importance of the Thai Large Language Model (ThaiLLM) project, led by the Big Data Institute, as a key component of Thailand’s artificial intelligence infrastructure. The project aligns with the Ministry of DE’s focus on leveraging data technology and AI to enhance Thailand’s digital and innovation competitiveness on a global scale.
According to a previous OpenGov Asia report, developing the Thai Large Language Model (Thai LLM) is a significant step towards enhancing Thailand’s natural language processing capabilities. Large language models, like the Thai LLM, can process and generate human language, enabling a wide range of applications such as machine translation, text summarisation, and chatbots in the Thai language.
Following the discussion on the ThaiLLM project, Professor Phiphisit Wisit Wisitsaratha, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, delivered a lecture on the policy direction of using data technology and AI to drive Thailand forward. He emphasised the ministry’s commitment to promoting public benefit and readiness to adapt to modern challenges, particularly in big data technology.
Associate Professor Dr Theeranee Ajalakul, Director of the Big Data Institute, highlighted BDI’s role in promoting the use of analytical data for decision-making and service delivery. The institute serves as a hub for connecting and analysing data across various sectors, fostering an ecosystem that supports data entrepreneurs and meets the demands of the Thai industrial sector.
An important aspect of BDI’s work is its focus on developing a skilled workforce in big data. The institute has trained over 100 new-generation information professionals, equipping them with the skills to drive Thailand’s competitive advantage and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
In this context, the efforts of the Big Data Institute underscore Thailand’s commitment to becoming a Data-Driven Nation. It is believed that by leveraging data and AI technologies, Thailand aims to achieve concrete national reforms to propel the country towards stable, sustainable, and transparent economic development.
“Thailand is laying the foundation for a more competitive digital economy. This could lead to significant improvements in efficiency, innovation, and overall quality of life for its citizens in the future,” Mr Prasert concluded.