Bangkok: The Ministry of Education in Thailand has partnered with Google to introduce artificial intelligence as teacher assistants, aiming to reduce educators' workload by 10 hours per week. This initiative seeks to cultivate a new generation of Thai students who are well-prepared for the demands of the digital age.
According to Thai News Agency, Minister of Education Mr. Prasert Chantharawongthong, along with ministry executives, met with Mr. Rafael Sislowski, Google's Country Manager for Thailand, and the Google for Education team. The meeting, held in the Ratchawallop Meeting Room, focused on leveraging AI and digital technology to enhance the Thai education system, aligning with the Ministry's five key educational policy areas.
The Ministry of Education emphasized the importance of this collaboration with Google Thailand, noting its potential to yield tangible benefits for Thai education. The partnership aligns with the Ministry's priority of human capital development, deemed essential for Thailand's long-term capabilities. The education system is tasked with providing access and equipping learners with necessary skills for growth in a rapidly changing global context.
The discussion covered five educational policy areas, focusing on enhancing student learning through AI literacy, reclaiming teacher time by integrating technology into classrooms, and reducing educational inequality via budget adjustments and increased access. The Minister of Education highlighted the need for innovation and technology to improve learning outcomes, especially in disadvantaged areas, ensuring no Thai child is left behind.
Mr. Sislowski expressed gratitude for the collaboration and reiterated Google's commitment to the "Leave No Thai Behind" initiative. He shared that Google has invested significantly in Thailand's cloud and data center infrastructure to make AI accessible to all. Google has already developed digital skills for over 700,000 Thai teachers and students and plans to use Gemini to assist teachers in lesson preparation and assessment, thereby reducing their workload. Additional initiatives include providing cost-effective Chromebooks for education and the Read Along application to enhance English pronunciation among Thai children.