The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry has reconfirmed its intention to launch its TH-AI Passport project no later than July, as originally planned, despite widespread criticism.
The government plans to give five million Thai citizens a year free access to premium AI tools through a 1.6-billion-baht programme called TH-AI Passport. The proposal is controversial and widely debated on social media.
Deputy digital minister Nan Boonthida Somchai said the ministry had no hesitation in moving forward with the project, including a screening process for people wanting to join up.
The ministry had completed the project's procurement process in legal compliance with relevant policies and procurement protocol.
During the first phase, the government planned to spend around 1.6 billion baht to procure professional and premium generative artificial intelligence models.
The DES-led project has attracted criticism on several fronts, including budget allocation, cost efficiency and the procurement process. The ministry recently held an extra public hearing to clarify doubts of the details.
Digital permanent secretary Patchara Anantasilp recently addressed a joint sitting of two House committees on concerns surrounding the project's accelerated implementation and procurement process, and potential links between the winning consortium and politically connected business interests.
Mr Patchara said earlier that the ministry had held negotiations with the TH-AI Passport contractors about adjusting the project to include a pay-per-use concept.
