AI Regulatory Framework in Telecommunications Under the NBTC’s supervision
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming a tool that plays a significant role across multiple sectors worldwide, including mass media, telecommunications, and national security. In particular, the integration of AI into military and defense systems is rapidly reshaping the landscape of modern warfare, raising concerns regarding appropriate use, governance, and potential risks. Despite these concerns, AI also presents substantial opportunities to drive economic growth and enhance quality of life, especially in developing economies such as Thailand. As AI has the potential to enhance human capabilities and resolve complex social challenges, Thailand has articulated a national vision to become an AI-driven economy by 2027. However, the rapid development and deployment of AI technologies also introduce critical challenges related to ethics, transparency, accountability, data privacy, and cybersecurity. These risks cover a wide range of issues, including violations of data privacy, algorithmic bias, misuse of AI systems, and adverse impacts on human rights. Thus, it is a challenge for industry stakeholders to design effective governance and regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with responsibility as delayed regulatory responses may amplify these risks and undermine the positive potential of AI.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Journal of TCI is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) licence, unless otherwise stated. Please read our Policies page for more information...
References
Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), “(Draft) NBTC policy guideline on risk management of artificial intelligence (AI) usage in telecommunications,” presented at the Focus Group Meeting on Draft NBTC Policy Guideline, Nov. 26, 2025. [In Thai].
Tilleke & Gibbins, “Thailand’s AI Act: Navigating the Future of AI Regulation,” Tilleke & Gibbins, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.tilleke.com/insights/thailands- ai-act-navigating the-future-of-ai-regulation/. (accessed May 15, 2024).
“NBTC to push for AI infrastructure, innovation,” Bangkok Post, Feb. 27, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www. bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/ 2749503/nbtc-to-push-for-ai infrastructure- innovation. (accessed May 15, 2024).
OECD, “OECD AI Principles,” OECD.AI. https://oecd.ai/en/ai-principles (accessed May 15, 2024).
Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), “National AI Strategy and Action Plan,” 2022. [Online]. https://www.mdes. go.th/view/1/National%20AI%20Strategy% 20and%20 Action%20Plan. (accessed May 15, 2024).
ASEAN, “Thailand’s National AI Strategy and Action Plan (2022–2027),” ASEAN Policy Brief, Apr. 2023. [Online]. Available: https:// asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ ASEAN-Policy Brief-on-Thailands-National- AI-Strategy-and-Action-Plan-2022-2027.pdf. (accessed May 15, 2024).
Baker McKenzie, “Thailand’s Draft AI Act: A Balancing Act Between Innovation and Regulation,” BakerMcKenzie.com, Feb. 2024. https://www.bakermckenzie.com/ en/insight/ Publications/2024/02/thailands- draft-ai-act-a-balancing-act-between- innovation-and-regulation (accessed May 15, 2024).
European Commission, “The EU AI Act: What It Is and How It Will Impact You,” European Commission, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://commission.europa.eu/ strategy-and policy/priorities-2019-2024/ europe-fit-digital-age/artificial-intelligence/ ai-act_en. (accessed May 15, 2024).
UNESCO, “Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence,” UNESCO, Paris, France, Rep. SHS/BIO/REC-AI/2021/1, Nov. 2021. [Online]. Available: https:// unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/ 48223/ pf0000380455. (accessed May 15, 2024).
Nat ional Broadcast ing and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), “About NBTC,” NBTC. https://www.nbtc. go.th/About-NBTC.aspx (accessed May 15, 2024).
Act on Organization to Assign Radio Frequency and to Regulate the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Services, B.E. 2553, Royal Thai Government Gazette, vol. 127, no. 78 A, pp. 1–47, Dec. 19, 2010. [Online]. Available: https://www. ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2553/A/ 090/1.PDF. [In Thai].
Nat ional Broadcast ing and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), “NBTC’s roles and responsibilities,” NBTC. https://www.nbtc.go.th/About-NBTC/ NBTC-Roles-and Responsibilities.aspx (accessed May 15, 2024).
“NBTC steps up fight against cybercrime,” The Star, Jul. 20, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/ aseanplus-news/2023/07/20/nbtc-steps- up-fight-against cybercrime (accessed May 15, 2024).
“NBTC enhances personal data protection for telecom users,” The Nation, Aug. 30, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www. nationthailand.com/thailand/general/ 40030580 (accessed May 15, 2024).
Notification of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission on Measures for the Protection of Telecommunications Subscribers’ Rights Concerning Personal Data, Privacy Rights, and Freedom of Telecommunications, B.E. 2566, Royal Thai Government Gazette, vol. 140, no. 56 A, Sep. 4, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.ratchakitcha.soc. go.th/DATA/PDF /2566/A/056/1.PDF. [In Thai]. (accessed May 15, 2024).
“ETDA to regulate OTT platforms,” Bangkok Post, May 22, 2020. [Online]. Available: https:// www.bangkokpost.com/business/1922571/ etda-to-regulate-ott-platforms (accessed May 15, 2024).
“PM chairs National AI Committee meeting,” The Government Public Relations Department, Oct. 23, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://thainews.prd.go.th/th/ news/detail/TCATG2310231505 29068 (accessed May 15, 2024).
Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), “ETDA launches AI Governance Clinic,” ETDA. https://www. etda.or.th/th/new-event/news/ETDA- launches-AI-Governance-Clinic.html (accessed May 15, 2024).
Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), “Artificial intelligence (AI) regulation under the role of NBTC in telecommunications,” presented at the Focus Group Meeting, NBTC, Jan. 20, 2026. [In Thai].
Telecommunications Regulation Bureau, “Code of practice and cybersecurity standard framework for critical information infrastructure organizations in information technology and telecommunications,” Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), Dec. 7, 2022. [In Thai].
Telecommunications Regulation Bureau, “Cybersecurity standard guideline for 5G mobile network devices (5G cybersecurity guideline),” Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), Dec. 21, 2023. [In Thai].
K. Bunnag, “Generative artificial intelligence and its military applications,” Defence Technology Academic Journal, vol. 6, no. 13, pp. 28–41, Jan.–Jun. 2024. [In Thai].
Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), “(Draft) Regulatory framework on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in telecommunications services,” internal document, NBTC, Apr. 2026. [In Thai].
