Bangkok, Thailand (December 11, 2024) — In commemoration of Human Rights Day, Manushya Foundation proudly announces the release of a comprehensive groundbreaking report titled "Balancing progress and human rights: Is Thailand ready for Artificial Intelligence that respects human rights?" This report arrives at a critical juncture as Thailand hastens its adoption of 'AI' technologies amidst escalating concerns over their impact on human rights.

​

The report offers a detailed examination of the current ‘AI’ landscape in Thailand, pinpointing significant gaps that pose risks to fundamental human rights. The report reveals that Thailand's legal instruments fall short in providing necessary protections against the risks posed by ‘AI’ technologies, highlighting loopholes in data protection laws that fail to address machine learning and ‘AI’ automation specifically. These oversights leave considerable room for privacy breaches under the guise of national security or public safety, raising alarms about the potential for increased surveillance and discrimination.

​

Urging substantial legal reforms, Manushya Foundation calls for the establishment of clear legal accountability for ‘AI’ developers for the systems they deploy. Manushya Foundation is advocating for preemptive human rights impact assessments and a robust independent system to adjudicate cases of ‘AI’-related harm. The report’s recommendations extend to legislative actions, urging the Thai government to pass a dedicated ‘AI’ law that fundamentally respects and protects human rights. “AI should not be an unchecked force in Thailand. It must be developed with human rights standards at its core. Our report makes it clear that Thailand’s existing legal framework lacks the depth needed to protect individuals from potential AI-related harms. We need a dedicated AI law that mandates transparency, accountability, and human rights protections, so that technology truly serves the public good,” said Emilie Palamy Pradichit, Founder & Executive Director of Manushya Foundation. 

​

This new law should be comprehensive, mandating transparent ‘AI’ governance practices that include all stakeholders in the decision-making process, particularly those from marginalised communities who are most at risk of being adversely affected by these technologies. The law should explicitly address and close current gaps in privacy and data protection laws, establishing stringent guidelines and enforcement mechanisms to prevent harmful ‘AI’ practices and to safeguard the rights and freedoms of all citizens.

​

Such legal measures are crucial for ensuring that Thailand's ‘AI’ advancements contribute positively to society without compromising on human rights-based standards. This balanced approach to ‘AI’ legislation will be fundamental in steering Thailand towards a future where technological progress and human rights are aligned and mutually reinforcing.

​

The report also offers a critique of "ethics washing" and the co-optation of ethics that have become increasingly prevalent among ‘AI’ developers and corporations. “How AI ethics is currently framed prioritises corporate interests and profit margins over genuine human rights considerations. What we need are policies with teeth instead of these non-binding recommendations that provide ample leeway for companies to claim ethical compliance without making substantive changes to their development practices,” said Dr Jean Linis-Dinco, Digital Rights Advisor at Manushya Foundation, Author of the report. 

​

“Legal frameworks across the world are still grappling with the constantly evolving nature of AI, reports such as the one launched by Manushya become essential in highlighting the human rights elements which often get overlooked in the race to development,” said Joanita Britto Menon, Legal Programme Manager Asia, TrustLaw, Thomson Reuters Foundation.

​

Reflecting on the impact of ‘AI’ on the shrinking democratic space, Arzak Khan, Founder of the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights (I4C), argued that “AI, while a beacon of technological progress, is reshaping the democratic landscape in troubling ways. Its deployment in surveillance and targeted propaganda amplifies power imbalances, restricts civic freedoms, and distorts public discourse. In an era of shrinking democratic spaces, unchecked AI risks becoming a tool for authoritarianism, rather than a catalyst for collective empowerment and inclusivity.”

​

Manushya Foundation is calling on Thai policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society organisations to seriously consider the report’s findings and recommendations. Without robust, rights-centred AI laws, public trust in technology will erode. AI development in Thailand must be rooted in accountability, where developers and companies bear responsibility for any harm their technologies may cause. Manushya’s report advocates for a legal framework that balances innovation with human dignity, ensuring that technological advancements do not come at the expense of privacy, freedom, or fairness. Thailand has an opportunity to lead by example, creating an AI environment where every citizen’s rights are protected.

 

In conjunction with the report, the Manushya Foundation hosted a report launch webinar aimed at fostering dialogue on how to develop ‘AI’ responsibly. These discussions focused on implementing the report’s recommendations and exploring ways to build an inclusive ‘AI‘ strategy that respects and promotes human rights.

​

The report is available for download on the Manushya Foundation’s website. Stakeholders and the public are encouraged to read and share the report to help ignite change and promote the responsible use of ‘AI’ in Thailand.

​

• Access the Report here. 

• Access the News Release here. 

---------------------------------------

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

• Jean Linis-Dinco, Digital Rights Advisor, Manushya Foundation: jean@manushyafoundation.org  

• Emilie Palamy Pradichit, Founder & Executive Director, Manushya Foundation: emilie@manushyafoundation.org