Thammasat Pioneers ‘AI Ethics’ Curriculum

Thammasat University is launching an “AI Ethics” curriculum in August 2025 to prepare Thai youth for the digital age. This program, part of the Thammasat Next Century strategy, focuses on responsible technology use, emphasizing ethical values alongside technical skills. It addresses risks like data bias and AI application in sensitive fields such as medicine, psychology, and law, asserting that AI is a tool to be adapted to human contexts, not a separate discipline.

Prof. Dr. Supasawad Chardchawarn, the Rector of Thammasat University, revealed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a central pillar of the current technological and economic transformation. With its potential to enhance efficiency, reduce workload, and solve complex problems, AI is experiencing exponential growth in investment, particularly in the financial services sector, where spending on AI is projected to reach $97 billion by 2027. This strong forecast reflects the confidence of organizational leaders, as 70% of CEOs and 68% of CFOs believe that organizations that do not invest in AI technology, infrastructure, and related skills at this time will not survive in the next five years.

There remains a significant challenge in utilizing AI to gain a competitive advantage, which may lead to the neglect of ethical considerations in the careful development and deployment of AI. Focusing solely on efficiency and business returns without regard for ethical principles can create severe risks and negative impacts in the long term, such as breaches of personal data, the creation of biases in systems, or a lack of transparency, all of which can undermine consumer trust and the long-term reputation of organizations.

“Thai education must lead in AI ethics to prepare youth. Thammasat University is launching the “AI Ethics” course, including TU280 “Artificial Intelligence Ethics for Leaders of the Future” under General Education. This course will instill foundational ethical principles, teach effective AI use while raising awareness of its impacts on human rights, equality, and transparency.”

Asst. Prof. Dr. Rachada Kongkachandra, the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs and a faculty member in the Data Science and Innovation program at the College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Thammasat University, points out that bias in AI is a significant concern when applied to various tasks. This is because AI learns by processing vast amounts of data, and if the data used for training is biased or not representative of diverse populations, the algorithms will reflect and amplify that bias, leading to unfair outcomes or discrimination. However, the presence of bias in AI due to the training data does not imply that AI generates bias on its own; rather, it is a result of existing social biases from the past and present being embedded in the datasets that AI learns from. For instance, if historical employment data demonstrates discrimination against a particular group, AI will learn and replicate that pattern. Therefore, addressing bias in AI must begin at the source of the process, which includes reviewing and improving data quality, as well as creating datasets that are diverse and truly representative of the population.

AI in various professions presents both opportunities and ethical challenges. In medicine, AI improves efficiency, aids in diagnostics, and screens patients, but raises concerns about privacy, data security, and algorithmic biases leading to inaccurate recommendations. In psychology, AI chatbots offer 24/7 counseling, addressing accessibility and privacy, but risk confidentiality and erroneous diagnoses. The legal profession faces sensitive challenges, with AI's historical data bias potentially reinforcing injustices and instances of lawyers citing non-existent cases, undermining judicial credibility.

“AI application in professions requires 'trust' and 'ethics' alongside technological advancement. Clear ethical guidelines and governance are crucial for AI to be a positive societal force, not a harmful one. The focus should shift from "What is AI?" to "How will we coexist with AI?", viewing AI as a 'complementary skill' for all careers. Students need both digital skills and ethical understanding; for example, medical students using AI for diagnosis must be aware of model limitations and risks from biased data.”

Asst. Prof. Dr. Rachada concluded that, on the other hand, both the public and private sectors play a crucial role in comprehensively supporting the AI learning ecosystem, particularly for workers at risk of being replaced by automation. The government should invest in training programs or incorporate AI content starting from secondary education to lay a foundation for continuous learning. At the same time, the private sector must not only focus on using tools but also cultivate a culture of ethical decision-making within organizations, whether in recruitment, customer service, or various evaluations. The AI Ethics curriculum is considered part of the strategic plan "Thammasat Next Century," aimed at enhancing Thammasat University to become a perfect institution for the society of the future. It is believed that national development in the digital age must not neglect ethical principles and social responsibility, with the goal of enabling learners to grow into "capable and good" digital citizens in a balanced manner, possessing analytical thinking skills, using AI to innovate responsibly, and not forgetting the moral principles of living harmoniously with others in a rapidly changing world.

However, the new General Education course, "TU280 Artificial Intelligence Ethics for Leaders of the Future," will be offered starting in the first semester of the 2025 academic year. Open to all students, the course will feature diverse faculty, experts, and distinguished speakers. It aims to provide a holistic perspective on AI ethics, focusing on case studies and debates to prepare Thai youth to responsibly engage with AI as users, decision-makers, and designers.

"Thammasat does not aim solely to produce 'capable individuals,' but seeks to cultivate 'capable individuals with a sense of responsibility' so that Thai youth can thrive in the digital era with stability, understanding both the power and limitations of technology, and becoming conscious and ethical users of AI, guiding them towards a sustainable future."