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Thailand most trusting of AI, according to Telenor Asia study 2024

Thailand most trusting of AI, according to Telenor Asia study 2024
Thailand most trusting of AI, according to Telenor Asia study 2024

Telenor Asia, one of our premium members, has launched a report “Digital Lives Decoded 2024 (Thailand)” revealing statistical information on AI adapted in Thailand’s workplaces, along with Thai internet users’ behaviours and how they prioritised convenience over privacy. The report also looked into what Thai people expected from AI integrated devices.

People in Thailand have higher trust in AI, when compared to regional peers in Singapore and Malaysia. They have also enthusiastically embraced a digital life and are among the most avid users of the internet in Southeast Asia. On average, people in Thailand spend nearly five hours online daily, exceeding the Southeast Asian average of 4 hours and 35 minutes.

Launched today, the latest Telenor Asia “Digital Lives Decoded 2024 (Thailand)” report reveals insights into the digital behaviours and attitudes of Thai internet users. The report, based on comprehensive research by global consumer research agency GWI commissioned by Telenor Asia, highlights the profound impact of mobile phone use on shaping smarter and safer lives in Thailand.

“As Telenor marks its 25 years in Thailand this year, the pace of digitalisation we see is nothing short of astonishing. This year’s report paints a vivid picture of a nation on the move, powered by mobile technology and the transformative potential of AI,” Manisha Dogra, Senior Vice President, External Relations and Sustainability at Telenor Asia, says.

“The findings from our Digital Lives Decoded 2024 report highlight the immense opportunities that AI brings to Thailand, from enhancing personal safety to changing the face of education and entertainment. As we navigate this exciting landscape, it is crucial to equip Thai internet users with the knowledge and tools to harness the benefits of AI while safeguarding their digital lives.”

1. AI is making its mark in Thailand, with untapped opportunity in the workplace

AI is emerging as a pivotal force for smarter, safer, and more connected lifestyles in Thailand. Nearly half of Thai internet users say AI is the new technology they are most excited about. Interestingly, older generations (Gen X and Baby Boomers) show greater excitement about AI than Gen Zs and Millennials.

The enthusiasm for AI in Thailand is clear, with 77% of respondents already using AI tools. Entertainment is the key arena, with more than half using AI for social media and close to 40% engaging with AI on video streaming platforms. While 85% believe that AI will have a positive impact on education in Thailand, there is significant untapped opportunity in the workplace.

Thailand currently trails behind other Southeast Asian markets on using AI tools in the workplace, with only around 1 in 5 using AI for work compared to Malaysia and Singapore where work is the top area of use. Those who use AI at work are 13% more likely than those who do not believe it will have a positive impact on their job security. They are also 43% more likely to trust AI-generated information, especially from AI chatbots.

High-income earners are 21% more likely to be using AI at work. Additionally, they tend to hold a more optimistic view of AI’s impact on society. As AI adoption increases in the workplace, it is expected to have positive knock-on effects on other areas of society.

2. Privacy paradox: People prioritise convenience over privacy

In the era of AI-integrated devices, mobile phones are helping people in Thailand to stay connected, access the latest news and entertain themselves. They are also a gateway to income streams, education opportunities and smarter, safer, and more connected communities.

However, three in four people feel they lack control over their personal data online, a higher proportion than the Southeast Asian average (68%). Financial scams and identity thefts are also top concerns in Thailand, with at least 1 in 2 worrying about them. Yet, people in Thailand remain confident in their ability to protect their personal information online and are the least likely, when compared to regional peers, to worry about how companies use their personal data.

A higher proportion of people in Thailand trust the websites they use to protect their privacy (38% compared to just 21% in Singapore), and they are more likely to give permission to companies to access their personal data in exchange for personalised offers and services (6 in 10 compared to 5 in 10 in Malaysia and Singapore). This highlights a common privacy paradox: while people state concern about privacy, they are unwilling to give up the daily conveniences that come from allowing technology to track them.

3. Thai people remain optimistic about AI and what it can do for smarter, safer lives

Thai people are aware of the ways in which AI can contribute to a smarter and safer life. 6 in 10 are excited about the possibilities AI could bring and believe AI can make their mobile more efficient. Interestingly, even those concerned about data privacy share similar views on efficiency and are excited about the potential benefits of AI. 51% of respondents say they expect AI smart devices to provide enhanced security and stronger data privacy controls.

Fears around AI-integrated devices are also more muted In Thailand than in Malaysia and Singapore, and trust in AI-generated information is higher across the board in Thailand across all aspects.

Manisha Dogra concludes, “To fully tap into the momentum surrounding this technology, building trust, prioritising education and encouraging digital responsibility will need to take centrestage to enable users in Thailand to thrive confidently in the age of AI.”

Telenor Asia is a co-owner of True Corporation, Thailand’s leading telecom-tech company. In 2023, the amalgamation of True and dtac in Thailand created Southeast Asia’s largest merger by enterprise value.

Click the button below to see the detail in “Digital Lives Decoded 2024 (Thailand)” report.

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