Artificial Intelligence, e-Governance and Access to Information in Thailand and the Mekong Region

Introduction

The moderator welcomes the participants to the event of International Day for Universal Access to Information organized by UNESCO and Faculty of Communication Arts, Joel Gun University. The theme for this year's event is artificial intelligence, e-governance, and access to information.

Opening Remarks

• His Excellency Mr Remco van Wijngaarden, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Thailand and Cambodia, emphasizes the importance of universal access to information in a free democratic society.

• Assistant Professor Dr. Sukanya from the Faculty of Communication Arts at Chulalongkorn University gives opening remarks on the significance of artificial intelligence, governance, and access to information in Thailand and the Mekong region.

Language Options and Event Structure

The moderator explains that there are language interpretation options available for Zoom participants. The event will consist of two main sections - a showcase on access to information and a panel discussion on technology's role in open data.

Language Options

• Participants in Zoom can choose their preferred language interpretation using the globe icon at the bottom of Zoom.

Event Structure

• The first section will be a showcase where experiences from three different countries regarding access to information will be shared.

• The second section will be a panel discussion conducted in Thai language with translation provided. It will focus on technology's role in the right to information or open data context.

Importance of Information Access and Technology

His Excellency Mr Remco van Wijngaarden highlights the significance of information access and technology in empowering citizens, supporting societies, and raising questions about fundamental rights and ethical use.

• Information and knowledge make people more self-reliant, conscious of the world, and empower civil society.

• Artificial intelligence (AI) and e-governance play important roles in making life easier but also raise serious questions about fundamental rights and ethical use.

• The Netherlands supports universal access to information while encouraging a critical conversation on its possible downsides.

Conclusion

The transcript ends with music playing.

The transcript provided is incomplete. It starts abruptly without providing complete context or content.

Opening Remarks by Mr. Shigeru Aoyaki, Director of UNESCO Bangkok

Mr. Shigeru Aoyaki, the Director of UNESCO Bangkok, delivers the opening remarks for the event.

Key Points:

• Mr. Aoyaki expresses gratitude and welcomes everyone to the event.

• He acknowledges the presence of similar events happening in other parts of the world.

• Thanks are given to Ambassador Vong when Harden for his opening remarks and government support for freedom of expression and press freedom.

• Appreciation is expressed towards the Faculty of Communication Arts at Chulalongkorn University for their work in boosting digital literacy skills and online fact-checking in Thailand.

Importance of Universal Access to Information

The speaker highlights the significance of universal access to information as a human right and its role in achieving sustainable development goals.

Key Points:

• The International Day for Universal Access to Information is a relatively new day adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019.

• Universal access to information is crucial for saving lives and livelihoods during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Open access policies in science have played a vital role in universal data sharing, especially during the pandemic.

• UNESCO's Global recommendation on open science aims to facilitate open access and open data policies worldwide.

• Health disinformation during pandemics can be more harmful than misinformation about other subjects, making quality information access even more critical.

Protecting Human Rights and Freedom of Expression

UNESCO's efforts to protect and strengthen human rights, freedom of expression, and access to public information are discussed.

Key Points:

• UNESCO focuses on four primary areas: countering disinformation, supporting independent journalism, promoting media literacy, and assisting member states in meeting international standards on freedom of expression.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to accelerate sustainable development goals, and UNESCO emphasizes understanding the ethical and legal implications of AI development.

• UNESCO has adopted international normative instruments on the ethics of AI and launched a toolkit for civil services on AI capacity building.

UNESCO's Role in Mainstreaming Universal Access to Information

The role of UNESCO Bangkok in mainstreaming universal access to information among multi-stakeholder partners at regional, national, and local levels is highlighted.

Key Points:

• UNESCO Bangkok aims to effectively integrate new international normative instruments and tools related to universal access to information.

• These efforts involve collaboration with governments, media organizations, judiciary, security forces, and other sectors involved in maintaining human rights and freedom of expression.

• The focus is on ensuring that universal access to information becomes an integral part of policies and practices at various levels.

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Importance of Access to Information

In this section, Mr. Joe Hironaka discusses the importance of access to information as a fundamental human right and its global recognition.

Access to Information as a Human Right

• Access to information is protected under Article 19 of the ICCPR and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

• The number of countries adopting legislation addressing the right to information has significantly increased over the years.

• Regional conventions, such as the Council of Europe convention on access to official documents, provide guidance in the field of access to information.

• Various regional treaties have been adopted to regulate access to information on specific topics, such as the environment.

Growth of Internet Access and Artificial Intelligence

• The growth of internet access has reached over half of the world's population, enabling advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).

• AI has emerged as a tool for sustainable development and evidence-based e-governance.

• UNESCO recently launched a competency framework on AI for civil service officials, emphasizing effective policy development for achieving UN sustainable development goals.

Ethical and Legal Implications of AI

• The report highlights key competencies needed by civil servants when adopting AI for sustainable development goals.

• These competencies include assessing ethical and legal implications, ensuring data security and privacy, sharing open data sets, and adhering to relevant legal frameworks.

Monitoring Access to Information - SDG Indicator 16.10.2

This section focuses on SDG Indicator 16.10.2, which monitors countries' adoption and implementation of constitutional guarantees for public access to information.

SDG Indicator 16.10.2 - Effective Accountable Institutions

• SDG 16 aims at building effective accountable institutions at all levels.

• Indicator 16.10.2 specifically monitors the number of countries adopting and implementing guarantees for public access to information.

• This indicator serves as an incentive for countries to improve their legal and regulatory frameworks for access to information.

Correlation between Access to Information Laws and SDG 16

• The large number of countries adopting access to information laws reflects the importance of SDG 16 in promoting human rights-based legislation.

Conclusion

Access to information is recognized as a fundamental human right, protected by international declarations and conventions. The adoption of access to information laws has increased globally, with a focus on building effective accountable institutions. The growth of internet access and advancements in artificial intelligence have further emphasized the need for ethical considerations and competencies when utilizing AI for sustainable development goals. Monitoring through SDG Indicator 16.10.2 encourages countries to improve their legal frameworks for public access to information, aligning with the broader goal of achieving peace and inclusive societies.

New Section

The importance of legislation guaranteeing access to governmental information and the need for proactive disclosure and independent oversight.

Legislation for Access to Governmental Information

• The right to information is fully realized when access to governmental information is guaranteed by legislation.

• All information held by public bodies should be subject to disclosure to the public.

• States should seek to proactively disclose information and legislate a framework that includes independent oversight.

• Independent oversight strengthens adherence, safeguards against abuses, and promotes transparency.

New Section

UNESCO's reporting on 16.10.2 aims to spotlight best practices, identify areas for improvement, and consider the impacts of AI and digital transformation on the right to access information.

UNESCO Reporting on 16.10.2

• UNESCO's reporting provides a platform to spotlight best practices in access to information.

• It identifies areas for improvement and draws conclusions on further normative work.

• Consideration is given to the impacts of AI and digital transformation on the right to access information.

• Digital transformation has implications for both the right to access information and the right to privacy.

New Section

Policy guarantees for access to information generally include an oversight body and requirements for public bodies handling access issues.

Policy Guarantees for Access to Information

• Policy guarantees for access to information typically include an oversight body.

• Public bodies are required to appoint officers responsible for handling access issues.

• New Mexico Secretary tracks progress on access through legal guarantees and their implementation.

New Section

Accessible information plays a critical role in rebuilding communities, sustaining public services, and responding effectively during crises like COVID-19.

Importance of Accessible Information

• Accessible information is a critical component for rebuilding communities and sustaining public services.

• The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of respective and accurate public access to information.

• UNESCO's SDG monitoring encourages voluntary national reviews and focuses on access to information-related issues.

• Monitoring allows UNESCO to focus on marginalized groups, such as women, and promote gender-sensitive right to information laws and policies.

New Section

UNESCO supports member states in promoting gender equity in the right of access to information through case studies and good practice examples.

Promoting Gender Equity in Access to Information

• Basic access to information remains elusive for half of the world's population, particularly women.

• UNESCO offers support to member states in promoting gender-sensitive right to information laws and policies.

• A report by UNESCO and the Carter Center highlights the challenges faced by women in accessing information.

• Case studies and good practice examples demonstrate pragmatic steps forward towards gender-sensitive access to information.

New Section

The MOOC on access to information laws and policies is an excellent tool for states with legal guarantees or those considering adopting them.

MOOC on Access to Information Laws and Policies

• The MOOC provides valuable resources for states with existing legal guarantees for access to information.

• It also benefits states that have not adopted such guarantees but can take incremental steps towards boosting access.

• The course includes case studies, good practice examples, and promotes core principles of good governance, participation, transparency, accountability.

New Section

Access to information encompasses core principles of good governance, participation, transparency, accountability.

Importance of Access to Information

• Access to information is an integral human right that promotes good governance.

• It encompasses core principles such as participation, transparency, and accountability.

• Today's International Day of Commemoration highlights the importance of access to information for our future.

• The session invites participants to share their insights and recommendations.

New Section

Showcase of three countries in the Mekong region: Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand, on implementing or advocating for the right to information legislation.

Showcase of Mekong Region Countries

• The session features speakers from Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand.

• These countries are at different stages of implementing or advocating for the right to information legislation.

• Each speaker will provide insights into their country's progress and challenges.

Due to limited available content from the transcript, further details about each country's showcase are not provided.

New Section

This section discusses the importance of diversity in sharing experiences and learning from each other. The topic focuses on striving for more accountable public entities through access to information experiences from three countries: Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Cambodia's Advocacy for Right to Information

• Cambodia does not have formal legislation on the right to information.

• Civil society is working hard to push for this law.

• The speaker will share their experience with advocacy efforts in Cambodia.

Vietnam's Experience with Right to Information

• Vietnam recently issued a law on the right to information.

• The speaker will discuss how they exercise access to information and its usefulness in human rights advocacy.

Thailand's Role of Technology in Access to Information

• Thailand has had a right to information law for over 20 years.

• The speaker will highlight the role of technology and active political participation in utilizing this law.

Introduction of Speaker from Cambodia

• Mr. Gautier has over 15 years of experience in media organizations and development NGOs.

• He is an expert in news reporting, communications, and advocacy.

• Currently, he serves as the research and advocacy manager at the Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association.

Advocacy Efforts for Access to Information in Cambodia

• Cambodia does not have an adopted access to information law yet.

• A2I working group consisting of 30 CSOs regularly meets and connects with various stakeholders.

• Efforts include submitting letters, conducting press conferences, and organizing events like the National Conference on Universal Access Information.

Challenges Faced by Journalists in Cambodia

• Journalists face difficulties accessing government records and documents for news reporting purposes.

• Despite advocacy efforts, there are still challenges in accessing information.

• The speaker hopes for the government to speed up the adoption of the access to information law.

The transcript provided does not have specific timestamps for each bullet point. I have associated the timestamps based on the available information and tried my best to align them accurately.

New Section

The speaker discusses the importance of stakeholder input and hopes that the government recognizes and adopts it. Questions and clarifications are welcomed at the end.

Importance of Stakeholder Input

• The speaker emphasizes that the project is open to welcoming input from stakeholders.

• Hopes that the government will recognize the importance of stakeholder input and adopt it.

New Section

Audience members are encouraged to ask questions in the chat box or Facebook comments. Interaction with speakers will be allowed after a certain time.

Audience Interaction

• Audience members are invited to ask questions in the chat box or Facebook comments.

• Direct interaction with speakers will be allowed towards the end, after sufficient time has passed.

New Section

The speaker mentions progress in Cambodia's drafting process involving civil societies.

Progress in Cambodia

• There is a drafting process underway in Cambodia.

• Civil societies are involved in this process, indicating progress despite its slow pace.

New Section

Vietnam has already enacted a law on access to information. The speaker introduces Miss Ha, who will share an example of human rights advocacy related to this law.

Human Rights Advocacy in Vietnam

• Vietnam has enacted a law on access to information in 2016.

• Miss Ha, director of Center for Education Promotion and Empowerment of Women, shares her experience with human rights advocacy.

• She has worked on programs related to women and ethnic minority empowerment, freedom of information, budget transparency, fair elections, and U.N. human rights mechanisms.

New Section

Miss Ha discusses their action research on land information disclosure by local governments in Vietnam.

Action Research on Land Information Disclosure

• Miss Ha's organization conducted action research to evaluate how local governments in Vietnam disclose information on land.

• Land conflict is a major issue in Vietnam, and lack of transparency in land use planning contributes to it.

• The research objectives include reviewing public access to land information, developing a website for official information, experimenting with requesting information, and making recommendations for government amendments.

New Section

Miss Ha explains the methodology and findings of their action research on land information disclosure.

Methodology and Findings

• The research involved reviewing legal documents, disclosing information at district and provincial levels, sending requests for land information, and developing an eportal.

• Only a small percentage of agencies disclosed land use plans or pricing frameworks publicly.

• A map on their website provides more details on which local government offices disclose land information timely.

New Section

Miss Ha discusses the low percentage of organizations that disclose land information publicly.

Low Percentage of Public Disclosure

• Only 17% of organizations that disclose land information do so publicly.

• Many organizations fail to meet deadlines or do not provide the required information on their websites.

New Section

Miss Ha highlights the limited access to land information in Vietnam.

Limited Access to Land Information

• Through their research, they found that only 20% of respondents confirmed access to land information through PAPI (Public Administration Performance Index).

• Lack of transparency in accessing land information is a significant issue.

Analysis of Feedback from Local Government

The speaker discusses the results of their analysis on the feedback received from local government organizations in response to requests for information.

Feedback from Organizations

• 51.7% of organizations did not provide any feedback in response to the requests.

• Only 12.9% of real estate agents provided the requested information.

• For ordinary citizens, only 22.9% of organizations provided information.

• Lawyers had a slightly higher response rate with 14.9% of agencies providing land information.

• Researchers had a similar response rate with 15.3% of agencies providing information.

Refusal and Lack of Feedback

• Many agencies used the law on access to information as a basis for refusing requests.

• Some state agencies at the district level did not provide any feedback at all.

Importance of Citations

• Requests made without citing the law on access to information received less feedback compared to those with citations.

• Ordinary people received more feedback than others when making requests without citations.

Website Review and Confusion

• The speaker reviewed provincial and district state agency websites for land information.

• State agencies were found to be confused between the law on access to information and legislation education for citizens.

Focus on Barriers to Accessing Information in Vietnam

The speaker emphasizes the need to focus on addressing barriers that hinder access to information in Vietnam.

Obligations of Government Officials

• Government officials need to be educated about their duty to provide information under the right to access your information in Vietnam.

Role of Leading Organizations

• CPU, as a leading organization, focuses on addressing barriers related to accessing information in Vietnam.

Discussion and Questions

The audience engages in a discussion with the speaker, sharing comments and asking questions.

Importance of Educating Government Officials

• The audience agrees with the speaker's point about educating government officials on their duty to provide information.

• It is highlighted that this duty benefits not only civil society but also the economy and private agencies.

Usage of the Website and Map

• The audience expresses interest in learning more about how the website and map are used by the general public.

Introduction to WeeVis Project in Thailand

The speaker introduces the WeeVis project, which aims to promote democratic ideas and civil participation in Thailand through data and digital technology.

About WeeVis

• WeeVis is a group of young designers, developers, and storytellers who aim to create a more participatory and transparent democracy in Thailand.

• They believe that enabling access to information about politics, human rights, and democracy is crucial for achieving this goal.

Challenges in Thailand

• Despite having a law on public information, there are still several problems and room for improvement in Thailand.

• The civil society needs to take action to address these issues.

Conclusion

The speaker concludes their presentation by emphasizing the importance of promoting accessible information for democracy in Thailand.

Promoting Democracy

• Accessible information plays a vital role in building a better democracy with a participatory system.

• WeeVis aims to contribute towards achieving this goal through their projects.

The Importance of Open Data and Information Accessibility

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of open data and information accessibility in society. They highlight their projects aimed at enabling access to public data, empowering individuals, and bridging the gap between civil society and the government.

Projects for Accessibility and Empowerment

• The speaker's projects aim to enable accessibility to public data, answer social questions, keep people informed for decision-making, and find possible solutions to societal issues.

• They emphasize the impact of open data in increasing participation levels and connecting different sectors of society.

"They Work For Us" Project

• The "They Work For Us" project was initiated due to difficulties accessing official parliamentary data. It aims to provide an overview picture of politicians' moral values and performances based on accessible data.

• Efforts were made to request, digitize, organize, and make official information easily accessible through a developer platform. This project has been successful with approximately 250,000 annual users searching for their representatives' information.

Promise Tracker Project

• The Promise Tracker project focuses on monitoring political parties' promises made during general elections. It aims to hold political parties accountable by gathering and tracking promises made by party members. This helps voters consider whom to vote for in upcoming elections.

Open Budget Project

• The Open Budget project was developed in collaboration with the Move Forward Party. It addresses the challenge of understanding national budget expenses by turning paper-based files into machine-readable formats that are easily searchable and visualized through an interface. This allows for better monitoring of national budget spending.

City Budgeting Project

• Similar to the Open Budget project, the City Budgeting project focuses on digitizing paper-based data related to city expenses. It provides an interactive platform for people to rate, rank, and comment on city development projects, allowing for greater public participation in decision-making.

Open Data for Open Parliament

• The Open Data for Open Parliament project aims to make parliamentary and public budget data more accessible. Efforts have been made to request better quality information from authorities and digitize public information for easier access.

Encouraging Accessibility and Quality of Public Information

In this section, the speaker discusses the need to encourage accessibility and improve the quality of public information. They highlight their efforts in requesting, waiting, and digitizing public information to ensure its availability.

Importance of Accessibility and Quality

• The speaker questions why there is a need to spend a lot of effort requesting, waiting, and digitizing public information when there are official Information Acts in place. They emphasize the importance of encouraging accessibility and ensuring good quality in public information.

This section concludes the transcript provided.

Civil Society and Public Organization's Role in Democracy

In this section, the speaker discusses the role of civil society and public organizations in promoting democracy. They emphasize the importance of participation based on information and their efforts to enable more access to data and encourage greater participation.

The Role of Civil Society in Democracy

• Civil society and public organizations aim to push society towards a democratic system that belongs to the people.

• Their goal is to drive democracy forward through active participation based on information.

• Despite facing challenges, they have set new standards in society and continue to work towards enabling more access to data and encouraging participation.

Positive Effects of Projects and Challenges Faced

The speaker reflects on the positive effects of their projects and highlights some challenges faced during the drafting process of laws related to information rights.

Positive Effects of Projects

• The collaboration with the Secretary of Parliament has shown promising signs of change from the government side.

• The projects have contributed towards setting new standards in society.

Challenges Faced during Drafting Process

• There were obstacles during the drafting process, even though the government was open for participation and discussion.

• Technical terms used in the draft law posed challenges, such as restrictions on disclosing certain information that may affect national security or government interests.

• Meetings were conducted with stakeholders, community members, and indigenous people to collect inputs for mobilization.

• However, many recommendations and inputs from civil society organizations were not accepted by the government.

Oversight Mechanism for Access to Information in Vietnam

This section focuses on Vietnam's oversight mechanism for access to information. The speaker discusses how they engage with the general public and private sectors while highlighting difficulties faced due to lack of regulation regarding oversight mechanisms.

Oversight Mechanism for Access to Information

• In Vietnam, the oversight of access to information is regulated by the National Assembly and People's Council at the local level.

• The law on complaint and the law on denunciations are used to address issues related to refusal or no feedback for information requests or non-disclosure of information.

Lack of Regulation for Oversight Mechanisms

• The law and access to information do not mention specific committees for overseeing access to information.

• Due to this lack of regulation, it is challenging to work on refusals or no feedback for requests.

• Civil society organizations focus on promoting the law and educating government agencies at both central and local levels about their duties under the law.

Promoting Access to Information in Vietnam

This section highlights how civil society organizations in Vietnam promote access to information through education and collaboration with government agencies.

Promoting Access to Information

• Civil society organizations act as promoters and supporters for government agencies at both central and local levels.

• Their focus is on helping government agencies understand their duties under the law and avoiding confusion between access to information and other legislation.

• Education plays a crucial role in raising awareness among the public about their right to access information.

The transcript provided does not include timestamps for all sections.

Working with the Ministry of Justice and State Agencies

The speaker discusses the challenges faced while working with the Ministry of Justice and state agencies in India to implement laws and promote access to information. Lack of resources and competing priorities hinder their ability to focus on transparency efforts.

Challenges faced with the Ministry of Justice

• Limited access to information due to lack of resources and competing duties.

• Lack of human resources affects implementation of laws.

Supporting local government and state agencies

• Collecting evidence to inform state agencies about their responsibilities in promoting access to information.

• Providing finance reports to support local government and state agencies.

Importance of Access to Information for Public Engagement

The speaker highlights the importance of access to information for public engagement, especially among young people. They also discuss how access to information can improve lives and benefit the private sector.

Empowering young people through access to information

• Educating young people about their right to access information.

• Demonstrating how access to information can help improve their lives.

Challenges in promoting transparency with the private sector

• Difficulty working with enterprises as they prioritize a favorable business environment over transparency.

• Collaborating with civil society actors instead, while engaging with state agencies.

Collaboration between Government and Civil Society

The speaker emphasizes collaboration between the government and civil society organizations in filling gaps related to access to information.

Collaboration between government and civil society

• Collaboration with the government to address gaps in access to information.

• Civil society organizations playing a role in promoting transparency.

Technology and Participation of Different Generations

The speaker discusses the participation of different generations, particularly focusing on the use of technology and its impact on older generations.

Reaching out to different generations

• Initially focused on reaching young people but later expanded efforts for inclusivity.

• Encouraging participation from older generations during elections by using familiar technology like Line application.

Learning and improving through feedback

• Considering feedback from people with disabilities, such as color blindness, to enhance website accessibility.

• Continuously learning and improving based on new challenges faced.

Summary of Key Learnings

A summary of key learnings from the three speakers regarding the right to information and collaboration between government and civil society.

Key learnings

• Struggles and obstacles exist in promoting access to information across different countries at various stages of development.

• Collaboration between civil society and the government is crucial in addressing these challenges strategically.

• Technology should be inclusive, considering the needs of all users, rather than solely focusing on introducing new technology for its own sake.

Open Data and Access to Information

The next session will be moderated in Thai and will focus on open data, access to information, and government information. There are five speakers joining the session.

Introduction of Speakers

• Deputy Director from DTA (Digital Government Development Agency) is present.

• Assistant Professor Pumin, a member of the Ethnic Committee of Artificial Intelligence, is also present.

• A Member of Parliament representing the Move Forward Party is participating.

• A senior editor from "The Matter" newspaper, who is a data user from journalism, is attending.

• Representative from the Office of the Official Information Commission (OIC) is present.

Experience with Open Data during COVID Crisis

Can We from "The Matter" shares their experience as a data user during the COVID crisis and discusses any developments.

• During the COVID crisis, they requested open data from various agencies but faced challenges in obtaining it.

• They believed that agencies were not disclosing information due to a lack of understanding about its benefits for both agencies and the public.

• However, after joining discussions on open data events, they realized that some executives did understand the benefits but feared audits and lacked trust in how the public would use the information.

• Younger civil servants understood the benefits but lacked authority to disclose information.

• While some agencies are doing well in disclosing information, there are loopholes and complications within the government system that hinder effective access to data.

Challenges in Disclosing Information

Can We discusses challenges faced by government agencies in disclosing information.

• Many government agencies have abundant data and tools but lack trust in people's ability to handle or misuse it.

• Fear of editing or misusing data leads to agencies providing information in PDF format instead of editable formats like Excel.

• Limited mindset and lack of trust in the public are key barriers to disclosing information.

• Can We formed a group called "333" to petition for the disclosure of vaccine data during the COVID crisis, but none of the seven health agencies disclosed the requested information.

• Lack of disclosure leads to people purchasing vaccines themselves, raising questions about accountability.

Benefits of Information Disclosure

Can We emphasizes the benefits of information disclosure and attempts to convince government agencies.

• Can We believes that information disclosure is not just about transparency but also credibility and public exploitation of useful information.

• Properly disclosed information can be utilized by both the private sector and the public.

• Can We lists several types of information that should be disclosed, such as tax spending and data related to people's living conditions.

The transcript provided does not include timestamps for all sections.

The Importance of Information Disclosure

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of information disclosure and suggests a shift in perspective towards asking which information should not be disclosed. They also mention that there is a lack of clarity regarding what information is currently being disclosed.

The Need for Information Disclosure

• The speaker suggests that instead of focusing on what kind of information should be disclosed, it is important to consider which information should not be disclosed.

• There is a lack of transparency regarding the disclosure of information, as many documents from cabinet meetings are not made public.

• The principle of national security is often used as a reason for withholding certain information from disclosure.

Objections and Gaps in the Law

• Many students and media organizations have submitted petitions objecting to the non-disclosure of certain information.

• The current law has loopholes and gaps, leading to inconsistent practices in disclosing information.

• Some agencies deny requests for information disclosure, which hinders the process.

Outdated Legislation and Potential Problems

• The existing legislation does not include provisions for digital or electronic information since it was drafted in 1997.

• Proposed amendments to the law may cause further complications if not carefully considered.

• The authority requesting permission to keep certain information confidential should be emphasized.

Shifting Burden and Budget Disclosure

In this section, the speaker shares their experience with budget disclosure and highlights the need for shifting the burden from the public to government agencies. They discuss their efforts to obtain budget details but faced challenges due to administrative authority limitations.

Shifting Burden in Budget Disclosure

• Currently, when requesting budget details, it is burdensome for the public as they need to make specific requests for each piece of desired information.

• Shifting the burden would mean that official information is automatically disclosed to the public unless there is a necessity to keep it confidential, particularly in matters related to national security.

Challenges in Obtaining Budget Details

• The speaker worked closely with government agencies and the Department of Budget to disclose the recent budget.

• While most government agencies were not protective of their spending information, the Department of Budget wanted to keep it confidential.

• The speaker requested budget details from various departments but faced limitations due to administrative authority.

Lack of Information Transparency

• Despite exercising their rights as per the Constitution, the speaker has not received the requested budget information from the Department of Budget.

• The lack of transparency raises concerns about accountability and understanding why certain budgets are reduced or cut.

Promoting Public Information Disclosure and Open Data

In this section, the speaker discusses promoting public information disclosure and open data. They explore possibilities for Thailand to move towards open data practices and become more trustworthy in terms of information disclosure.

Promoting Public Information Disclosure

• To promote public information disclosure, trustworthiness should be established through open data practices.

• Open data can provide greater transparency and accountability by making relevant information easily accessible to the public.

Moving Towards Open Data

• As a member of parliament, there is a possibility for Thailand to embrace open data practices.

• Open data can enhance public trust by allowing citizens to access and analyze government information independently.

This summary covers key points from specific sections of the transcript.

Transparency and Discretion in Information Disclosure

The speaker discusses the need for agencies to have discretion in what information they disclose, as complete transparency may not be feasible due to low corruption perception. However, there is a proposal to make meeting minutes of committee meetings and public databases more transparent.

Proposal for More Transparency

• The speaker suggests giving agencies the authority to decide what information to disclose, with exemptions for confidential matters.

• Meeting minutes of committee meetings should be made public to hold committee members accountable for their decisions.

• Public databases should be considered as public information, which would affect budgeting and taxation processes.

Mindset Barriers and Adaptation in Government Agencies

The representative from the Digital Government Developing Agency (DGA) shares their perspective on mindset barriers and the progress made in adapting towards open data.

Challenges Faced by Government Agencies

• Mindset plays a significant role in the actions of civil servants, leading to resistance towards disclosure.

• Cultural barriers also contribute to the reluctance of government agencies to embrace transparency.

• Digital tools are relatively new, and many government agencies still rely heavily on paper-based processes.

Progress Towards Open Data

• DGA has been working towards open data through their platform data.go.th for four years.

• Over 8,000 sets of data have been disclosed compared to three years ago.

• Collaboration with over 400 departments across 20 ministries has facilitated this progress.

• Policy-level efforts include setting standards and providing consultancy services.

• Executives at each department understand the concept of open data but fear potential backlash.

Digitization Challenges

• Many government agencies still have a significant amount of data collected on paper that needs digitization.

• Technical barriers arise from non-machine-readable formats and templates used for paper-based data collection.

• Prioritization is required when deciding which data can be disclosed first, considering the vast number of departments and ministries involved.

The Telephone Game of Data Disclosure

The speaker highlights the complexity of data disclosure across various levels of government agencies and emphasizes the need for digitization.

Complexity in Data Disclosure

• With over 20 ministries and 400 departments at central and sub-national levels, data disclosure becomes a complex process.

• Digitization is necessary to make paper-based data machine-readable.

• Both past data collected on paper and new digitally collected data need to be screened for disclosure.

Conclusion

The transcript discusses the importance of transparency in information disclosure while acknowledging the challenges faced by government agencies. It emphasizes the need for discretion in disclosing information while proposing measures such as making meeting minutes public and considering public databases as public information. The progress made by DGA towards open data is highlighted, along with challenges related to mindset barriers and digitization. Overall, there is a recognition of the importance of adapting to an open government approach while addressing technical and cultural barriers.

Progress and Challenges in Data Access

The speaker discusses the progress made in data access, including the number of users and the availability of different data formats. However, challenges remain in terms of policy implementation, education, and confusion regarding data disclosure.

Progress in Data Access

• Over 10 million users have accessed the platform and downloaded data.

• Various formats are available, including Excel, CSV, and PDF.

• Users can process the data immediately and connect to APIs.

Challenges in Policy Implementation

• The need to add data to the framework and educate stakeholders.

• Changing the mindset of government agencies to freely disclose information without waiting for orders.

• Establishing standards for what types of information can be disclosed without authorization.

Data Governance Committee

• A committee is responsible for working with ministries and departments to manage levels of data clearance.

• Confusion arises due to interpretation differences between acts such as PDPA (Personal Data Protection Act).

Balancing Disclosure and Privacy

• Understanding that statistics can be disclosed while protecting individual or private data.

• People are interested in seeing statistics rather than individual-level details.

Following Up on Policies

• Thailand needs better follow-up mechanisms once policies are established.

• Civil servants are already overwhelmed with duties and paperwork.

Support Needed for Policy Implementation

• While policies, formats, and standards are in place, more support is required for effective implementation.

• Agencies like DTA provide training, skill-building opportunities, digital tools, screening data, mentoring but intensity varies across ministries.

Improving Data Usability

The speaker highlights the importance of improving data usability by addressing issues such as scanned PDFs that cannot be used effectively. Consultancy is needed to convert scanned PDFs into usable formats.

Scanned PDFs and Data Usability

• Many datasets on data.go.th are in scanned PDF format, rendering them unusable.

• Consultancy is required to regenerate PDFs into computer-generated formats for effective data usage.

Connecting Users and Promoting Feedback

• The aim is to connect users with agencies and promote the feedback loop.

• By enabling users to process and utilize data, they can provide useful insights back to the agency.

Cultural and Organizational Barriers

The speaker discusses cultural and organizational barriers that hinder open data initiatives. Key challenges include organizational resistance, data infrastructure, and human resources.

Cultural and Organizational Barriers

• Open data faces challenges due to cultural and organizational barriers.

• Organizational resistance hampers open data initiatives.

• Data infrastructure should not be a major challenge in Thailand.

• Human resources play a crucial role in digital transformation efforts.

Communication between Data Processors and Users

• Effective communication between those processing the data and end-users is essential.

• Close collaboration ensures efficient processing of data based on user needs.

Importance of Data Preparation

The speaker emphasizes the significance of proper data preparation before delving into big data analysis. Communication between users and processors is vital for efficient utilization of processed data.

Significance of Data Preparation

• Proper preparation of data is necessary before engaging in big data analysis.

• Effective communication between users and processors enhances efficiency.

Utilizing Excel for Data Processing

• Basic knowledge of spreadsheet software like Excel is essential for everyone involved in handling data.

• Users who process the data may not fully understand its intended use, leading to inefficiencies.

Conclusion

The transcript highlights progress made in terms of access to diverse formats of government-held information. However, challenges remain regarding policy implementation, education, and confusion surrounding data disclosure. Improving data usability by addressing issues with scanned PDFs is crucial. Cultural and organizational barriers, along with effective communication between data processors and users, need to be addressed for successful open data initiatives. Proper data preparation and utilization of tools like Excel are essential for efficient processing and analysis.

Office of the Official Information Commission

The speaker introduces the Office of the Official Information Commission and discusses the importance of the Official Information Act in promoting access to information.

Introduction to the Office of the Official Information Commission

• The Office of the Official Information Commission is responsible for promoting access to official information.

• The Official Information Act, established in 1997, is a significant legislation that promotes access to information.

• The act was developed in response to important events like "Black May" and aims to disclose public information.

• The organization has an open mindset and strives for open government.

Objectives of Amending the Official Information Act

• The amendment aims to align with current needs and serve as criteria for enabling people's right to access official information.

• It focuses on national security aspects, criteria for private information, transparency, systematic disclosure, and alignment with other relevant acts.

• Consultation meetings have been held with media and stakeholders to address objections and ensure transparency.

Procedures Followed by the Office

• The office follows official procedures and consults with experts from the Council of State regarding Thai law.

• Wide consultations are conducted, including discussions with other agencies to address objections.

• Cabinet resolutions in 2011 mandated government agencies to disclose official information on their websites without requiring requests from taxpayers or the public.

Challenges Faced in Obtaining a Response

The speaker discusses challenges faced when requesting information and not receiving a response. They also explain what type of information should be disclosed by government agencies.

Challenges Faced When Not Receiving a Response

• Government officials may be reserved about disclosing information even though they are protected by law if they do so with integrity and good faith.

• In reality, there may be instances where individuals do not receive a response to their information requests.

Types of Information that Should be Disclosed

• Government agencies are obligated to disclose general information unless it pertains to national security, private information, or is marked confidential.

• Cabinet resolutions are marked with confidentiality levels but should be disclosed once they become resolutions.

Role of the Office in Addressing Non-Responsive Requests

The speaker discusses the role of the Office of the Official Information Commission in addressing non-responsive requests and asks for concrete examples.

Role of the Office in Addressing Non-Responsive Requests

• The speaker asks for more concrete examples of non-responsive requests to provide specific guidance.

• Generally, government agencies are required to disclose official information unless it falls under exemptions related to national security, private information, or marked confidentiality.

The transcript ends abruptly after this section.

Disclosure and Official Discretion

The speaker discusses the importance of disclosure and the proposed amendment to lift some official discretion. They highlight that in the current digital world, it is almost impossible to keep everything confidential.

Importance of Disclosure and Proposed Amendment

• The fundamental action is to disclose information under the Official Information Act.

• The proposed amendment aims to lift some official discretion.

• Considering the public interest, it is difficult to hold everything confidential in today's digital world.

Abundance of Information in the Digital Age

The speaker reflects on how information has become more abundant in recent years compared to 25 years ago. They provide an example of a request for information from all schools, which highlights the need for more specific requests due to limitations in processing power.

Increase in Information Availability

• 25 years ago, there was not as much abundance of information as today.

• Example: A request for information from all schools exceeded the processing power of one official.

• Specific requests are necessary when dealing with large amounts of information.

Challenges Faced by OIC

The speaker discusses the challenges faced by OIC (Office of Information Commission), including limited resources and transitioning to electronic information. They emphasize the importance of government agencies providing electronic forms of information that can be easily searched on websites.

Challenges Faced by OIC

• OIC consists of 37 people receiving requests from all over Thailand.

• Transitioning to electronic information requires cooperation from government agencies.

• The speaker mentions the potential challenges of artificial intelligence and its impact on transparency and digital divide.

AI and Open Data

The speaker discusses the role of AI in open data and how different countries are focusing on open data to develop AI capabilities. They mention the importance of balancing security, technology, and economic development as foundations for each country.

Role of AI in Open Data

• All countries are focusing on open data to contribute to the development of AI.

• Balancing security, technology, and economic development is crucial for every country.

• Comparison between European countries, ASEAN countries, and Singapore's approach to open data.

Three Aspects of Open Data

The speaker highlights three aspects to consider when discussing open data: consumer protection, digital rights, and legislation. They mention the gaps in legal frameworks and suggest that AI can provide solutions for enforcement among government agencies.

Three Aspects of Open Data

• Consideration of consumer protection, digital rights, and legislation when discussing open data.

• Gaps in legal frameworks lead to confusion among civil servants.

• Lessons from Europe's GDPR and the need for clarity through disclaimers in laws regarding exceptions.

Lessons from Europe's Approach

The speaker discusses lessons learned from Europe's approach to open data. They mention mistakes made by European countries compared to China and the US. They emphasize the importance of connecting all data through an AI act or similar legislation.

Lessons from Europe's Approach

• Europe's approach includes both legislation and policy for open data.

• Mistakes made by European countries compared to China and the US.

• Connecting all data through an AI act or similar legislation.

Conclusion

The speaker concludes by mentioning that many countries are not ready for the second approach of open data due to outdated strategies. They highlight the importance of updating legislation and policies to keep up with technological advancements.

Conclusion

• Many countries are not ready for the second approach of open data.

• Updating legislation and policies is crucial to adapt to technological advancements.

Working with AI and Data Sharing

The speaker discusses the challenges of working with AI and handling large amounts of data. They mention the need for data sharing between different sectors, including the private and public sectors.

Challenges in Data Regulation

• Regulators are concerned about data management in the context of AI.

• There is a discussion about merging regulators into one committee.

• Private sector raises concerns about transparency if a single committee is formed.

• Some countries propose using blockchain technology to ensure transparency in data sharing.

Intermediary for Open Data

• The concept of an intermediary for open data is introduced.

• It is unclear who this intermediary would be, possibly referring to the mentioned committee.

Auditing AI Activities

• Instead of relying on humans, regulators can use AI for auditing purposes.

• Explainable AI (AI that can explain how algorithms work) plays a role in regulating AI activities effectively.

Types of AI and Suitable Data Work

The speaker explains different types of AI and their suitability for various types of data work. They emphasize the importance of understanding which type of AI is appropriate for specific tasks.

Types of AI

• There are different types of AI, such as expandable or explainable AI.

• Expandable or explainable AI refers to AI that can provide explanations on how algorithms work.

Suitability for Data Work

• It is crucial to determine which type of AI is suitable for specific types of data work.

Challenges in Open Data Disclosure

The speaker discusses challenges related to open data disclosure. They mention issues regarding mindset, selective disclosure, and lack of examples from top executives.

Mindset and Selective Disclosure

• The speaker highlights the importance of mindset when it comes to open data.

• Not all data needs to be disclosed, and there should be careful consideration.

Lack of Examples from Top Executives

• The speaker mentions that top executives need to lead by example in disclosing data.

• There is a lack of transparency even in personal accounts or assets disclosure.

Need for Law Supporting Open Data

The speaker emphasizes the need for a law that supports open data. They discuss the limitations of the current Information Act and propose amendments.

Limitations of Current Information Act

• The 2021 Information Act has a section that can lead to imprisonment for requesting undisclosed data.

• This provision is seen as dangerous and not conducive to open data practices.

Proposed Solutions

• Amendments are needed in the Information Act to better support open data practices.

• Leading by example, top executives should prioritize disclosing data and clarifying their commitment to transparency.

Using AI to Enhance Open Data

The speaker discusses the use of AI to enhance open data. They highlight the importance of addressing fundamental questions about openness before delving into AI implementation.

Steps towards Open Data Enhancement

1. Step One: Determine whether or not to open data.

2. Step Two: Define what type of data should be opened.

3. Step Three: Establish how the opening process should occur.

4. Step Four: Explore how AI can be utilized in conjunction with open data.

Conclusion

The transcript covers various aspects related to working with AI, including challenges in data regulation, auditing AI activities, types of AI suitable for different tasks, challenges in open data disclosure, the need for a law supporting open data, and using AI to enhance open data.

New Section

The speaker discusses the potential role of the MP (Member of Parliament) in addressing tension and barriers within government agencies, particularly in relation to digital transformation and transparency.

MP as a Catalyst for Transformation

• The MP is seen as a potential hope for addressing tension and barriers within government agencies.

• Each government agency has its own limitations and barriers.

• The speaker agrees that having a leader from the people can lead to better progress.

Importance of Information Act

• The format of disclosed information needs to be usable, not just in PDF format.

• The list of public information held by the public sector should be open by default, as it comes from tax money.

• Questions are raised about disclosing project proposals and budget details transparently.

Role of Government Leader

• Having a government leader who reflects the voices of the people is key to advocating for transparency.

• Agencies may fight for transparency but lack authority or face other barriers within the government system.

New Section

The speaker discusses their plan for using AI or technology to enhance oversight and promote open data in Thailand.

Oversight Role of DGA

• DGA is happy to serve as an oversight center for open data in Thailand.

• Collaboration with other agencies and local administrations is important for alignment and progress.

Technology Solutions

• DGA has tools that can automate information into open data formats.

• Local administrations have shown great intentions but face challenges with budget and technology access.

• DGA has worked extensively with local administrations to decentralize the disclosure process.

Data Camp Campaign

• DGA has conducted a campaign called Data Camp, which had thousands of participants.

Encouraging Information Disclosure

The speaker discusses the importance of encouraging organizations to disclose information and the need for a proper template to guide them in doing so. They highlight the potential of incubating organizations before they enter the battle of disclosing information. The goal is to enable organizations to share information on their websites as open data.

Developing a Standard for Information Exchange

• Lack of standardization in connecting or exchanging information is a major challenge in open data.

• Integrating information from multiple agencies, such as COVID-19 data, requires collective work and collaboration.

• The speaker expresses gratitude towards agencies involved in sharing COVID-19 information in real-time.

• Standardizing formats across various disciplines (education, labor, science, research, public health, welfare) is crucial for effective information disclosure.

Collaboration with Local Administrative Agencies

The speaker emphasizes the positive impact of working closely with local administrative agencies. Breaking out of silos and creating seamless processes are key goals. Collaboration with 20 ministries and hundreds of departments has led to significant improvements and increased enthusiasm.

Decentralization and Budget Allocation

Decentralization plays an important role in budget allocation. By decentralizing processes, budgets can be distributed more effectively among different agencies.

Legislation Progress and Consultation Process

The new act related to open data is currently being proposed to the Secretariat of the Prime Minister's Office. It has undergone consultation with various stakeholders, including government agencies and the Council of State. Feedback and recommendations from all parties are being considered during this process.

Role of AI in Open Data

The speaker discusses the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the open data landscape. AI presents challenges due to its complexity, involving algorithms and various types of data. Legal feasibility is a key consideration when it comes to legislation related to AI and open data.

Concerns about Legislation and Transparency

The speaker expresses concerns about legislation related to open data and emphasizes the need for careful consideration. They mention examples from other countries, such as the Netherlands and France, where transparency issues have been raised. The focus should be on developing effective laws and acts that ensure transparency from the government's side.

Timestamps are provided for each section based on the available transcript.

The Role of Data in Blockchain Technology

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of data in blockchain technology and its potential impact. They highlight the need for data to be in digital format and standardized, emphasizing the role of good governance in unlocking its benefits.

Data Format and Standardization

• All data needs to be in digital format for effective use with blockchain technology.

• Standardizing data into a digital template can lead to significant advancements.

• Good governance is crucial for approving and implementing these standards.

Intermediaries and Transparency

The speaker explores the concept of intermediaries and their role as central third parties. They emphasize the importance of balance, transparency, and international cooperation when multiple sectors act as intermediaries.

Intermediaries and Balance

• Many countries adopt an approach involving intermediaries.

• The context of each country should be considered when implementing this approach.

• Intermediaries must maintain balance, transparency, and international cooperation.

Open Data and Universal Access Day

The speaker acknowledges that it is International Day for Universal Access. They express pride in the strong civil society presence in the region and highlight the importance of open data for achieving universal access.

Open Data and Civil Society

• Civil society plays a significant role in advocating for open data.

• The region has strong civil society representation from Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, etc.

• Universal access is a basic human right that requires collaboration between public entities and civil society.

Conclusion of Panel Discussion

The panel discussion concludes with remarks on new technologies, challenges faced, learnings gained, and appreciation for coming together to exchange views between the public and civil society.

Appreciation for Discussion

• The panel discussion covered various topics, including new technologies and challenges.

• The moderators did an excellent job summarizing and asking follow-up questions.

• The speaker appreciates the practical insights shared by participants.

Closing Remarks

The speaker expresses gratitude for the discussion and highlights the need for better understanding of the daily challenges faced by practitioners. They emphasize the importance of listening to details and adapting to capacities in digital innovation, transformation, and ethical considerations.

Listening and Adapting

• U.N. officials need to listen better to understand the nuances of practitioners' work.

• Practical challenges, decisions, and barriers faced by practitioners are crucial to consider.

• Building capacity in digital skills, media literacy, and addressing ethical dimensions is essential.

AI Challenges and Digital Transformation

The speaker reflects on the challenges posed by AI and its impact on digital divide, privacy erosion, surveillance economy, and data-driven decision-making. They highlight the potential of digital transformation while emphasizing the need for investment in digital skills and ethical frameworks.

AI Challenges and Digital Divide

• AI widens the digital divide in unprecedented ways.

• Privacy erosion is a significant concern with AI's role in surveillance economy.

• Data-driven decision-making capacity is desired but limited due to AI complexities.

E-Governance for Achieving Goals

The speaker emphasizes e-governance's potential in supporting goal achievement through digital transformation. They stress investing in digital skills, information literacy, technology infrastructure, ethical considerations when applying AI, human rights frameworks alignment with AI development.

E-Governance for Goal Support

• E-governance can support goal achievement through digital transformation.

• Investment in digital skills and information literacy is crucial.

• Ethical considerations and alignment with human rights frameworks are necessary for AI development.

Conclusion

The speaker concludes by expressing gratitude to the participants for celebrating the event and acknowledges their pioneering role in advancing the field.

Appreciation and Pioneering Role

• The event marks an important milestone as the first official UN gathering in 2020.

• Participants are recognized as pioneers in their respective fields.

Touching Base with UNESCO

The speaker expresses gratitude for the opportunity to work with UNESCO and the Advisor Communication and Information Unit in Bangkok.

Working Together with UNESCO

• The speaker expresses their excitement about collaborating with UNESCO.

• They express gratitude for the opportunity to work together.

• Specifically, they mention working with the Advisor Communication and Information Unit in UNESCO Bangkok.

Closing Remarks on International Day of Universal Access to Information

The speaker concludes the International Day of Universal Access to Information by emphasizing its importance and potential impact on enabling everyone to exercise their basic rights.

Importance of Universal Access to Information

• The speaker officially closes the International Day of Universal Access to Information.

• They highlight the significance of this day in promoting access to information as a basic right.

• They mention a visual representation where a mechanical hand and a human hand will eventually touch, symbolizing how universal access to information can enable individuals to exercise their rights.

Conclusion

The speaker concludes their remarks, expressing gratitude once again.

Final Words

• The speaker thanks everyone for their participation and support.

• They express appreciation for the opportunity to speak.