UNESCO Global Forum on AI Ethics Held in Bangkok: Multidimensional Education Essential for Equity
At the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, held in Bangkok, experts, academics and technology leaders stressed the need for a multidimensional approach to ensure fair implementation of AI in both education and the world of work.
Rafael Torquato Cruz, from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), stated: “When we speak of an AI-ready workforce of the future, we must remember that this is not an abstract concept. It directly concerns students in our schools, employees in offices, factory workers, and even entrepreneurs in local markets.” He emphasised the importance of inclusive education policies that reach beyond engineers to include all occupational groups, from farmers to teachers.
Christina Schönleber, Director of Strategy at APRU, highlighted the key role of universities in this process, noting that “AI education must be ethical, inclusive, interdisciplinary, and sensitive to local cultures. Universities must be at the centre of both knowledge and innovation, ensuring no one is left behind.”
Dr Wongkot Wongsapai from Thailand shared the country’s three-phase AI strategy. The first phase involved integrating AI into university curricula, the second focused on promoting lifelong learning in workplaces, and the third aims to foster innovation through AI. To date, over 31,000 people in Thailand have received AI training.
The forum also addressed not only achievements but also the risks and inequalities associated with AI. Yinghui Tng, Head of Public Policy for Google Southeast Asia, warned that AI is creating new threats, particularly in the area of financial fraud. Participants also pointed out that the existence of hundreds of local languages in Southeast Asia poses a major challenge to the widespread adoption of AI technologies.