Forum Tackles AI Bias Against Ethnic Minorities in Thailand
A forum in Thailand examined how AI can amplify bias against ethnic minorities if trained on flawed data, while discussing ways to build digital literacy and create safer spaces for marginalized communities to tell their own stories.
As artificial intelligence plays an increasing role in creating and distributing information in society, speed alone is not the answer to the digital world. If source data contains bias, lacks diversity, or excludes the voices of certain groups, technology may amplify those distortions—particularly affecting ethnic minorities who already face prejudice and stereotypes in Thai society.
This issue was discussed at the 36th Digital Thinkers Forum, titled "Ethnic Citizen Identity in the Age of AI: Bias and Reality in Thailand," organized by the Health Promotion Foundation, Thai Cofact, International Media Support, and partner networks. The forum created a space to exchange views on citizenship rights, identity, communication, and digital equality, while exploring how AI can be used as a tool to reduce inequality and counter myths about ethnic groups.
Yanee Ratchborirak, director of the Media and Intellectual Wellness Systems Development Office at the Health Promotion Foundation, noted that AI plays a role from data production through information distribution. If source data contains bias and lacks balance, those biases will be amplified through technology. The Foundation's approach therefore aims to create a "safe media ecosystem" alongside media and digital literacy programs, enabling people to ask critical questions, distinguish fact from opinion, understand context, and use technology responsibly.
Ethnic identity remains another important area requiring attention. Although Thai society increasingly recognizes and values diversity through art, community products, and cultural tourism, negative stereotypes and bias toward ethnic groups persist. Creating spaces for ethnic communities to tell their own stories is therefore essential to making information in society more diverse and balanced.
"In the age of AI, the key issue is not just the speed of information distribution, but the quality and reliability of that information," Yanee stated. "The Foundation aims to build a safe media ecosystem, strengthen digital literacy, and create space for all people to communicate their identity fairly, to help build a society that respects diversity and human dignity."
Suphinyaa Klangnarong, co-founder of Thai Cofact, emphasized that AI presents both opportunity and challenge for community storytelling. Used responsibly, technology can help gather knowledge and amplify community voices to the public. However, without AI literacy, it can be used to create false or distorted information, further reinforcing bias against ethnic minorities.
For this reason, Thai Cofact and the Foundation are working together to help community members develop into "health communicators," building skills in fact-checking, verifying images and sources, distinguishing fact from opinion, using AI responsibly, and producing content based on real community data and experience. These efforts will be linked with mainstream media, academics, fact-checkers, and civil society to ensure community voices reach the public sphere with quality.
"The challenge of the 36th Digital Thinkers Forum is not just combating misinformation, but ensuring technology grows alongside people's developing skills. As AI becomes faster at creating and spreading stories, having direct information from the source becomes increasingly important."
