The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) has partnered with Google Cloud to offer free access to artificial intelligence (AI) tools in its Google AI Pro package to students for personal use for a full year.
The goal is to unlock the potential of Thais with AI technology.
According to DES Minister Chaichanok Chidchob, the move is a significant strategic partnership aimed at unlocking the potential of Thai people through their utilisation of AI technology.
This initiative will provide students aged 18 and above with free access to the AI Pro package with personal use for a period of one year. Registration for the offer will end on Dec 9, 2025.
In addition, the ministry is ready to expand the offer to cover over 5 million Thais in the next phase.
He added that AI is now playing a crucial role in people’s daily lives — particularly students.
Mr Chaichanok said the government has a clear mission to promote equal access to AI for Thais to bridge the gap and create opportunities for all students who are aged 18 and above, a new generation that will play a key role in driving the country’s future.
“The ministry is committed to make access to AI technology a basic right for all citizens. Those who were initially excluded from this programme do not need to worry about being left behind,” he said.
The ministry and Google are working closely, including through collaboration with various platforms in the future, to expedite the study, promote and expand eligibility, as well as adjust conditions to ensure all Thais have access to the package for free, Mr Chaichanok said.
More importantly, the collaboration also prioritises protecting personal data and preventing data leakage from AI usage, using Google Cloud’s enterprise-level control measures.
Furthermore, the ministry is concerned with over-reliance on tech which can lead to a lack of critical thinking skills. Therefore, it is prioritising encouraging young people to practice analytical thinking and reasoning in making their own decisions.
“The use of AI, which balances technology with human thinking, is the core of sustainable development. The ministry will continue to collaborate with Google and other platforms in the future to ensure the use of digital technology to drive the country’s future economy, under the roles and responsibilities mandated by government regulations,” Mr Chaichanok added.
Annop Siritikul, country director of Google Cloud Thailand, said AI adoption is not limited to personal use and there is also a clear need for Generative AI and Agentic AI capabilities to be applied in both classrooms and conference rooms.
Furthermore, the partnership with the ministry will develop national-level learning solutions based on Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform and Gemini models, specifically the Vertex AI Model Garden which ensures flexibility and open integration with industry-leading AI models.
Initially, this national learning solution will offer online training courses with step-by-step instruction and hands-on exercises to create engaging learning experiences for students.
The solution is designed to help users develop the skills necessary for success in both their careers and everyday life in a world where AI technology plays an increasingly important role, he added.