KBTG announces that it is collaborating with the MIT Media Lab's Advancing Humans with AI (AHA) Program. As a founding sponsor of the AHA research program, the collaboration reinforces KBTG’s commitment to drive global advancements in AI and Human Computer Interaction. KBTG has been a Research Consortium Member at the MIT Media Lab since 2022.
Mr. Ruangroj Poonpol, Group Chairman - KASIKORN Business-Technology Group (KBTG), said, “KBTG is committed to advancing AI and cutting-edge technologies within the organization to propel KBTG onto the global stage."
Since joining the MIT Media Lab in 2022, KBTG has been particularly interested in a number of research projects including:
1) Future You: an AI simulation that allows users to interact with a future digital twin;
2) Koo Kid: AI thought partner and chatbot offering advice from diverse perspectives;
3) FinLearn: an AI-driven educational platform that promotes accessible financial literacy;
4) Future Jobs: an AI platform offering career guidance from the perspective of one’s future self in their professional field; and
5) Talk to the Hand: a real-time, web based mouse pointer providing onscreen multi-modal guidance.
Collaboration on this research underscores KBTG’s interest in playing a leading role in AI innovation within Thailand and Southeast Asia, while fostering new AI endeavors to drive further advancements.
Now KBTG has elevated its collaborative efforts to support advancements in AI and Human-Computer Interaction on a global scale, becoming a founding sponsor of the Media Lab's new Advancing Humans with AI (AHA) Program. Led by Media Lab Professor Pattie Maes and Dr. Pat Pataranutaporn, a KBTG research fellow, AHA is being launched Spring 2025 with initial support from a number of Global Fortune 5000 companies. Its focus is to drive research and development in AI and Human-Computer Interaction to create broad societal benefits, fostering sustainable and inclusive connections between technology and humanity across all aspects of life, while supporting human flourishing through multifaceted AI systems.
AHA areas of research include:
- Collaborative Decision-Making: AI systems that enhance human decision-making processes and strengthen critical thinking.
- Mental Health and Behavior Change: AI systems that support mental health and positive behavioral changes.
- Learning: AI systems designed to create personalized learning experiences, support self-development, and enhance skills and knowledge, with an emphasis on fostering curiosity.
- Creativity, Design, and Discovery: Interactive AI systems that support human creativity and exploration.
- Communication and Collaboration: AI systems that support human communication, coordination, and collaboration.
- Assistive Augmentation: AI systems designed to assist individuals or groups with specific needs, such as the elderly or neurodivergent individuals.
KBTG aims to use the knowledge gained from the AHA collaboration to further research innovations, promoting the development of skills and knowledge and instilling positive long-term thinking in people. Future goals include a continued focus on developing and creating beneficial human applications of AI.
In 2022 KBTG became the first organization in Thailand to join the Media Lab—one of the most advanced research laboratories in the world—joining as a Consortium Member.
Those interested can find more details about AHA at
https://mitmedialab.info/ahakbtg