Microsoft will create AI lab for Thai farmers and smart cities

Microsoft signed an agreement last week with the Thai government to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) laboratory that will create advanced solutions for Thai farmers and the Kingdom’s smart city program.

The agreement was signed just days after the government allocated over $3 billion for a smart farmer program that would teach growers how to use technology and marketing to maximize their capabilities. Thailand’s farmers play an important role in global food security, as the Kingdom is the only net food exporter in Asia.

Microsoft concluded the agreement for the AI lab with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. “We signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the project and are in the process of developing it,” said Dhanuwat Suthumpun, Managing Director of Microsoft Thailand.

Dhanawut said the project would give locals access to the AI lab, where they could use AI and tech programs from other countries. Microsoft expects that entrepreneurs engaged in startups would be among the users.

The company is working with the Ministry’s Digital Economy Promotion Agency to localize knowledge and programs for the agriculture sector and smart city initiative.

Microsoft also signed a separate MoU with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation to establish digital training courses at local universities.

A total of 25 Thai universities have already agreed to work with Microsoft to fine tune the courses, while another 200 have expressed interest in working with the company on curricula in the future.

“The time has come for AI in Thailand,” Dhanuwat said.

Photo courtesy of https://news.microsoft.com/