Thailand's Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry is driving the nation's development through digital technology. The ministry aims to position digital technology as the fifth driver of the country's growth, alongside investment, exports, tourism, and consumption. To streamline operations and reduce IT costs, each ministry will be encouraged to establish its cloud storage service. The DES Ministry's immediate concern is combating cybercrime, particularly call-center scams and illegal gambling websites. Collaborating with various ministries, the DES Ministry is addressing data security breaches and plans to develop a centralized 'super-app' for public convenience in accessing services provided by various agencies. Additionally, the ministry aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure equal access to government-provided Internet services. The Universal Service Obligation (USO) Net project is expected to be completed within two years, and a cell broadcast system is being implemented to send instant messages to mobile phones within a specified area.
Thailand's focus on digital technology reflects the country's commitment to embracing digital transformation in government policies. By leveraging digital technologies, the government aims to enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and improve citizen experiences. However, challenges such as cybercrime and data security breaches must be addressed to ensure the success of these initiatives.
Thailand's Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry plans to establish a national artificial intelligence (AI) committee as part of the second phase of the national AI strategy. The committee, expected to be set up by June, will spearhead the national AI strategy and consist of representatives from various agencies. The ministry is also working on AI development, including a national AI service platform, Thai large language model, and guidelines on AI ethics, laws, regulations, and skill development. The ministry aims for half of the citizens to be using digital ID this year and 100% by 2025. The ministry also intends to introduce the global digital talent visa to attract 50,000 digital talents. Thailand is among Huawei's strategic countries within Asia-Pacific for digital transformation, particularly in AI and cloud. ASEAN's digital economy reached $300 billion in 2022 and could rise to $1 trillion or even $2 trillion by 2030.
Meanwhile, in Jersey, Deputy Chief Minister Senator Lyndon Farnham has called for a 'mindset change' to embrace digital technology. He believes that the island has the opportunity to experience a new wave of excitement and energy similar to the heyday of the tourism trade. The Economic Development department has published a consultation draft for a new digital economy strategy, seeking input from Islanders and businesses on the government's role in supporting the digital economy. The strategy aims to support digital businesses, enable other businesses to become digitally enabled, and improve public services through digital delivery. Deputy Curtis highlighted the impact of the digital economy on all Islanders, using the example of digital whiteboards in healthcare to support patient care.
Both Thailand and Jersey recognize the importance of digital technology in driving economic growth and improving public services. They are actively seeking input from stakeholders and implementing strategies to support digital businesses and enable digital transformation across various sectors. By embracing digital technology, these countries aim to enhance their competitiveness and provide better services to their citizens.
In Jamaica, Education Minister Fayval Williams announced that the government is committed to implementing initiatives to close the digital divide in schools. Williams made the statement during the church service for the 60th anniversary of the Jamaica Teachers Association. The government is well advanced in implementing these initiatives, which will focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education. The government believes that prioritizing STEAM education will lead to world-class education and training.
Thailand's Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) will propose a plan to introduce a cell broadcast emergency system. Major mobile operators are expected to invest approximately 300 million baht each to establish their cell broadcast centres, while the ministry may need around 400 million baht to set up its cell broadcast entity (CBE). The system is aimed at dealing with public disorder and disasters and is expected to be fully operational this year. The DES ministry is yet to decide whether it or the Interior Ministry's Disaster Mitigation Centre will act as the state command centre for the system. The cell broadcast system has two tiers: a location-based service (LBS) already in use by major operators, capable of sending short messages to all mobile phones in specific areas, and the new cell broadcast system. The development of the cell broadcast emergency warning system is one of seven core policies of the ministry this year.
Belize is hosting the fiftieth Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) Executive Council Meeting and the Caribbean ICT Ministers Seminar and Retreat. Representatives from twenty CARICOM member states are attending the event. The CTU was established in 1989 to develop inter-regional and international communication networks. The seminar aims to update members on developments in the information and communication sector, including 5G developments, cybersecurity, and renewable energy. The CTU has become a preferred source of ICT advice for regional governments. The event emphasizes regional digital collaboration and learning from each other's successes and failures. The seminar also includes discussions on public sector modernization, connectivity, and cybersecurity. The Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau under the International Telecommunication Union, Dr. Cosmas Zavazava, is present at the seminar. Belize has shared its progress in digital leave systems, digital connect centers, green energy, and plans for a national ID system. The event highlights the importance of digital transformation and the role of IT in transforming the lives of citizens and economies. The seminar aims to achieve connectivity goals and find solutions for agriculture, safeguarding the environment, and other sectors. The event is a great experience for all participants.
Thailand, Jersey, Jamaica, Belize, and Australia's focus on digital technology for economic growth and education
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is conducting a nationwide survey to gather the views and experiences of tech workers for the development of ACS Australia's Digital Pulse report. The survey will focus on significant industry trends such as Artificial Intelligence, workforce diversity, and the emerging tech worker pipeline in Australia. The report, which will mark the tenth anniversary of Australia's Digital Pulse, aims to identify the sector's priorities for the next decade. The survey is developed and analyzed by Deloitte on behalf of ACS, and individual responses will be protected and only shared in an aggregated form. The survey will be open until May 15, 2024.
The Hawai'i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) has published its Hawai'i Digital Economy Survey, which involved surveying over 1,000 businesses in the state. The survey aimed to understand how local companies utilize digital and broadband technology for their business operations. The survey collected data on areas such as operations, business-to-business, and business-to-consumer markets, focusing on revenue generation and deployment of human resources in the digital sector. A total of 1,088 private businesses responded to the survey between September 12, 2023, and February 7, 2024. The survey was coordinated by OmniTrak Group Inc. under the direction of HBDEO and READ leadership. The findings from the survey will be used to strategize how to grow the digital economy and enhance broadband service statewide.
Nepal has declared the next decade as the 'Information Technology (IT) Decade,' aiming to transform its economy by leveraging IT. The goal is to position Nepal as a global IT hub, create many jobs, and boost IT service exports to Rs 3,000 billion. The government aims to create 500,000 direct jobs and 1 million indirect jobs in IT. New citizen service centers will make accessing government services easier. Improved broadband services will provide faster and more reliable internet. The government plans to promote artificial intelligence. High-speed internet will be expanded across the country. Free spaces in IT parks will help new businesses start and grow. Policies will support the digital economy. The media sector will get support. Nepal aims to become a global IT hub. IT parks with high-speed internet and other facilities will support tech advancements and business growth. Satellite-based internet services will bring connectivity to even the most remote areas. Enhanced digital infrastructure will support online education. The IT sector will become a major part of the economy. Young people will be encouraged to start their own tech businesses. Improved IT infrastructure will benefit communities. Learning digital skills now will prepare you for future jobs and opportunities in a tech-driven world.