How Countries That Aren't AI Hotspots Will Benefit From AI Advances

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the momentum and enthusiasm for building AI capabilities in Thailand, despite the country's relatively lower economic development compared to tech powerhouses like the US and China. It highlights how any country, company, or individual can make meaningful progress in AI, thanks to the democratizing effects of foundation models and generative AI. The article also covers the Thai government's and businesses' active efforts to develop AI applications and capabilities.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Momentum in AI Development

1. What is the key point the author makes about the momentum in AI development in Thailand?

• The author was delighted to see tremendous momentum building in AI in Thailand, despite the country not being as advanced in AI technology or applications as leading tech countries.
• The author believes that one's level of AI development right now matters less than the momentum toward increasing it.
• The author feels that any country, company, or person has a shot at doing meaningful work in the field of AI, thanks to the democratizing effects of generative AI and foundation models.

2. How does the author describe the enthusiasm and activity around AI in Thailand?

• The author met with the Thai Prime Minister and ministers, who discussed plans to provide AI training and use AI to improve education.
• The author also met with business leaders who are rapidly experimenting with AI applications in areas like financial chatbots, identity verification, auto insurance, and developing a Thai-language financial language model.
• The author observed that universities in developing economies sometimes adopt AI faster, and Chulalongkorn University has rolled out campus-wide training in generative AI.

[02] Importance of Momentum

1. What does the author say about the importance of momentum in technology development?

• The author states that it takes years to build up advanced technology, but momentum matters, and there will be many rewards along the journey.
• The author believes that any country, company, or person has a shot at doing meaningful work in the field of AI, as long as they have the momentum to increase their AI capabilities.

2. How does the author contrast the importance of momentum versus current level of development?

• The author argues that one's level of AI development right now matters less than the momentum toward increasing it.
• The author suggests that while advanced economies like the US and China are still in the lead, the democratizing effects of generative AI and foundation models have made the playing field more level.