‘Innovation and Collaboration at UK AI Week in Bangkok: A Showcase’
UK AI Week in Bangkok: Fostering AI Governance and Applications
The inaugural ‘UK AI Week in Bangkok’ was hosted by the British embassy to foster discussions on AI governance and applications. Held between 15-18 August, the four-day event served as a dynamic platform to spotlight the country’s AI prowess and strengthen the growing partnership between the UK and Thailand.
Policy Roundtable on AI Governance
The week kicked off with a high-level policy roundtable on 15th August at the Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai, where esteemed experts and policymakers from both nations gathered. Distinguished representatives included experts from the Alan Turing Institute, Institute of Analytics, Surrey Institute for People-Centred Artificial Intelligence, and the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. Roundtable discussions delved into critical topics such as AI regulation and governance, investment strategies, the potential impact of AI across various sectors, and its role as a force for positive change.
AI Week Reception and UK AI Strategy
Following the policy roundtable, an AI Week reception was held at the Ambassador’s Residence. The event provided an opportunity to unveil the UK’s AI strategy and facilitate the establishment of new relationships between stakeholders. Attendees included UK experts, Thai government officials, and multilateral organizations like UNESCO.
Participation at TechSauce Global Summit
A highlight of the week was the participation of nine British AI and data businesses in the GREAT Pavilion at the TechSauce Global Summit. The summit drew over 15,000 tech experts, investors, and businesses, and showcased the diverse commercial capabilities of UK enterprises in sectors spanning agriculture, finance, climate, design, and cybersecurity. Attendees had the chance to engage in workshops led by UK experts, covering AI applications in health, public services, and national AI strategy development.
Turing Night Event and Future AI Initiatives
The week’s activities concluded with the ‘Turing Night’ event on 18th August at Icon Siam. The event featured an exhibition, networking reception, panel discussion on AI, and a screening of the film ‘The Imitation Game.’ The success of the UK AI Week in Bangkok underscores the UK’s dedication to technological advancement and international collaboration in shaping the future of AI for the betterment of society. The UK Government will also hold a ‘Safety Summit’ in November to address potential risks.
UK Government Funding for AI Hardware Production
In addition to the UK AI Week in Bangkok, the UK Government announced a £100 million fund to bolster the production of homegrown AI chips. While the UK is home to established companies like Arm and promising startups like Graphcore, most firms operating in the country are US-based. The government hopes the fund will help boost the UK’s position in AI hardware production.
Conclusion
The UK AI Week in Bangkok showcased the innovation and collaboration between the UK and Thailand in the field of AI. It highlighted the country’s AI expertise, explored critical topics in AI governance, and facilitated meaningful partnerships and discussions. The event solidifies the UK’s commitment to technological advancement and paves the way for future AI initiatives and collaborations.
