Bangkok: The heightened interest and competition in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) is reaching a critical point. Recently, United Nations Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres warned world leaders that the rapid development of AI poses significant risks that should not be overlooked. While many world-class developers and researchers are leaving major tech companies to issue warnings to the public, Dr. Prinya Hom-anek, a member of the National Cyber Security Council, provided a comprehensive overview of the future risks of AI, its impact on the education system, and Thailand's adaptation strategies.
According to Thai News Agency, AI development has progressed into the era of Agentic AI, approaching Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Experts predict AGI will become a reality by 2029-2030, followed by Superintelligence. Nobel laureate Professor Geoffrey Hinton, a key figure in AI development, resigned from Google to warn about AI's potential uncontrollability, estimating a risk of humanity's extinction or serious threats like biological weapons, fake news, and job displacement. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump emphasized that slowing AI development could result in losing ground to China.
Dr. Prinya highlighted the "AI Alignment" problem, which focuses on ensuring AI achieves its goals without endangering human life. He compared AI to "Sithananchai," a character lacking humanity, and proposed Professor Hinton's "Mother and Child Model" to design AI structures that inherently avoid harm.
Despite tech giants forming bodies to set standards, Dr. Prinya argued for independent "third-party audits" to prevent conflicts of interest. He emphasized the need for Explainable AI, Responsible AI, and the Human-in-the-loop principle, ensuring humans make final decisions.
AI's impact on Thailand's education system has been significant, with students using AI for assignments but struggling in exams due to a lack of independent research and analytical skills. Dr. Prinya advocated for an educational shift towards critical thinking, design thinking, and soft skills training.
In terms of digital sovereignty, Thailand faces challenges with foreign platforms collecting personal data. Dr. Prinya urged for an "AI law" to properly tax these platforms and reinvest in domestic development. He emphasized the importance of proactive measures to prevent economic impacts and safeguard national interests.
In conclusion, preparing for AGI is akin to "repairing the roof on a sunny day before the storm hits." Without urgent reforms in education and regulatory measures, future AI development could pose irreversible challenges for Thailand.