The National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (Nectec) has partnered with three entities to initiate the Open ThaiGPT project, a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) system utilizing the Thai language.
These three entities include the Artificial Intelligence Entrepreneur Association of Thailand (AIEAT), the Artificial Intelligence Association of Thailand (AIAT), and the NSTDA Supercomputer Center (ThaiSC).
The Open ThaiGPT project provides a customizable, chat-based assistant featuring advanced AI technology capable of comprehending the Thai language.
It will be distributed as a complimentary, open-source, and customizable software package.
The Open ThaiGPT 0.1.0 -alpha is scheduled for a soft launch in May.
This version will be able to answer inquiries, perform machine translation, provide step-by-step explanations, paraphrase, convert units, suggest code, and sort numerically.
ThaiGPT version 1.0 will be accessible by June this year. The project relies on data from publicly accessible sources.
Pantip.com is a current data contributor, and with the Personal Data Protection Act regulations and copyright considerations in mind, the project is inviting more data contributors to participate and collaborate.
Thepchai Supnithi, director for the Artificial Intelligence Research Group of Nectec and an AIAT representative, during a Nectec-hosted seminar on Monday titled ‘Challenges, possibilities, and opportunities for Thai ChatGPT’ stated:
“This is the right time for Thailand to become a technology maker rather than a good technology user like previously, in particular in the area of generative artificial intelligence by having the Open ThaiGPT project.”
He went on to say “This is the right time for Thailand as we have much of our own local language data and Asean’s largest supercomputer facility to process that massive volume of data.”
Kobkrit Viriyayudhakorn, AIEAT president, noted that Open Chat ThaiGPT concentrates on a Thai language chat-based assistant capable of understanding tasks and interacting with third-party systems.
Thai GPT could serve as the foundation for the next-generation AI for Thai language processing and be utilized in business applications.
Prachya Bookwan, a Nectec researcher specializing in natural language processing, mentioned that ThaiGPT currently operates on a large-scale, high-performance computing model, but it could potentially work on smartphones in the future.
Future AI will be augmented intelligence, combining human-trained data to enhance AI’s overall intelligence.
Wanchat Padungrat, Pantip.com’s founder, expressed the company’s willingness to simplify research and generate a positive societal impact.
Viwan Jarerattanachat, ThaiSC’s head of scientific support and domain research, believes this project will elevate Thailand’s AI capabilities.
Nevertheless, since the project is still in the trial and error phase, safety reviews are needed to prevent harm or misuse. The project must maintain transparency, accountability, and responsibility, she emphasized.
Chai Wutitiwatchai, Nectec’s executive director, acknowledged the significance of AI. Thailand’s National AI Strategy Master Plan was approved by the cabinet last year.
Thailand’s AI Government Readiness Index ranking improved from 60th in 2020 to 31st in 2022.
