#Technology

Charlie Warzel argues that generative AI can create a collective sense of unreality. (He calls it a “mass-delusion event.”) (The Atlantic).
The claim matters because Thai society faces rapid AI adoption in schools, offices, and daily life.

Warzel opens with a disturbing example of a reanimated teenager.
The interview used AI to mimic a dead voice with family consent. (The Atlantic).

The example shows how generative tools can cross moral lines.
The story also shows how deep grief and technology can mix in harmful ways. (The Atlantic).

A complex technological reality is emerging across Thai households, schools, and workplaces as artificial intelligence demonstrates remarkable capabilities for enhancing daily productivity while simultaneously presenting significant risks through convincing but fabricated information. Technology experts conducting extensive real-world testing reveal AI’s genuine strengths in creative problem-solving, content generation, and routine task automation, yet consistently emphasize these same systems produce concerning inaccuracies when users expect authoritative research quality or professional consultation reliability.

Tech writers testing the latest generative tools say the secret is not that AI will change everything tomorrow, but that it already helps with specific, everyday tasks — while still making serious mistakes when asked to be an authoritative source. In a recent Verge bonus episode, the publication’s senior reviewer and colleagues described practical uses — from smoothing children’s bedtimes to planning cross-country moves and quickly prototyping game code — but warned the tools “definitely … fall short” in important ways (The Verge). That mixed verdict mirrors peer‑reviewed findings showing large language models (LLMs) can be useful for drafting and brainstorming, yet produce “hallucinated” or fabricated references and factual errors at nontrivial rates when used as research assistants (JMIR study; arXiv survey). For Thai readers — parents, teachers, clinicians and small-business owners — the immediate question is practical: how to use generative AI to save time and spark ideas, while guarding against errors that could mislead decisions in health, education and tourism.

A brief laboratory experiment with common marmosets — small South American monkeys — has underscored a striking possibility: the pull of screens may come less from the meaningful content we expect and more from the simple, repeatable sensory changes that screens produce. In a 2025 study that placed tablets showing tiny silent videos in marmosets’ cages, animals learned to tap images simply to make the image enlarge and to hear chattering sounds; no food, treats or other conventional rewards were offered, yet eight of ten marmosets acquired the tapping behaviour and some continued to tap even when the audiovisual consequence was replaced by a blank screen study link. The result resonates with human reports of “mindless” scrolling and compulsive checking: the form of interaction and the unpredictability of what the screen does next can be reinforcing, independent of meaningful gain. That insight — drawn from our primate relatives — helps explain why so many people in Thailand and around the world lose track of time on phones and social apps, and it points toward practical steps individuals, families and policy-makers can take to reclaim attention and wellbeing.

A remarkable transformation is reshaping San Francisco as artificial intelligence triggers what economists are calling a new “gold rush,” fundamentally altering urban dynamics in ways that hold profound implications for Thailand’s rapidly digitalizing economy. The phenomenon encompasses venture capital flooding into AI startups at unprecedented levels, downtown office markets experiencing dramatic shifts, and cultural tensions emerging between technological advancement and human workforce concerns. According to comprehensive reporting from the Los Angeles Times, this transformation manifests through visible cultural markers including public exhibitions that demystify AI for families, provocative billboard campaigns addressing automation anxiety, and a surge of AI companies whose location and hiring decisions are restructuring entire neighborhoods.

San Francisco is in the midst of what some call a new “gold rush” as artificial intelligence upends downtown office markets, fuels a surge in venture capital and splashes AI messaging across neighborhoods from Mission to the waterfront, according to a recent report by the Los Angeles Times. The city’s transformation is visible in a summer exhibit at the Exploratorium, billboards that both mock and court human workers, and a rapid inflow of AI startups whose funding and leasing decisions are already reshaping downtown real estate and civic life. This story matters to Thai readers because the forces remaking San Francisco — concentrated venture capital, rapid tech-led hiring, changing office demand, public anxiety over job displacement and the cultural response to technology — are surfacing now across Asia. Thailand’s universities, policymakers, entrepreneurs and workers can draw practical lessons from how a global AI boom plays out in a compact, historically and culturally dense city like San Francisco (Los Angeles Times).

Revolutionary research involving nearly 800 university students over three months has delivered compelling evidence that consumer smartwatch stress-monitoring technology shows virtually no correlation with users’ actual emotional experiences. This comprehensive longitudinal investigation, designed to develop early-warning systems for depression and mental health crises, presents scientific findings that challenge the reliability of physiological monitoring data that millions of Thai consumers trust for psychological wellbeing assessment. The study’s implications prove particularly significant for Thailand’s rapidly expanding wearable device market, where consumers have invested heavily in smartwatch technology specifically for stress-tracking capabilities that research now reveals may provide misleading health information.

A groundbreaking parenting experiment conducted by a Swiss mother has triggered international debates about the future of child-rearing after she publicly credited artificial intelligence with revolutionizing her family’s daily management while raising profound questions about the appropriate role of technology in intimate family relationships. The 33-year-old Zurich resident’s viral confession that she feels like she’s “cheating at mom life” by using ChatGPT for everything from meal planning to tantrum management has sparked intense discussions among parenting experts worldwide about whether digital assistance represents liberation for overwhelmed parents or concerning erosion of authentic human connection in child development. Her bold embrace of AI co-parenting offers crucial insights for Thai families increasingly dependent on digital tools, particularly as rapid technological adoption intersects with traditional Thai values emphasizing warm family bonds and intergenerational wisdom sharing.

A Swiss mother has sparked intense discussion online and across parenting communities worldwide after revealing she uses ChatGPT—a prominent artificial intelligence tool—as a “third co-parent” in raising her 3-year-old daughter. Her unconventional approach, which recently went viral on TikTok and was featured on major media outlets such as Good Morning America, underscores the growing fascination and contentious debate over AI’s role in everyday family life (Independent).

The story, originating from Zurich, Switzerland, centers on a 33-year-old mother who openly credits ChatGPT with significantly easing her daily parenting load. “I feel like I’m cheating at mom life,” she admitted in a widely shared TikTok video, explaining how AI helped manage everything from meal planning and drafting grocery lists to navigating toddler tantrums and even supporting her own emotional well-being. Her candidness struck a chord with countless viewers, instantly fueling both admiration and skepticism about the technology’s reach into the home—and, by extension, the boundaries of modern parenting.

As mental health services globally face unprecedented demand and resource shortages, many individuals are increasingly turning to generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT for emotional support and advice. While the promise of 24/7, non-judgmental responses is appealing to those in distress, new research and expert commentary warn of significant psychological and ethical risks in relying on AI as a substitute for traditional therapy. This latest debate, captured in a thought-provoking commentary published in The Guardian on August 3, 2025, highlights the pressing need for Thai readers to critically evaluate the role of AI in mental healthcare and to consider cultural and societal implications (The Guardian).

Across Thailand’s bustling cities and remote villages, a quiet revolution unfolds in smartphone screens and computer monitors. Millions turn to artificial intelligence chatbots seeking solace for their deepest fears, relationship troubles, and mental anguish. What begins as a convenient alternative to scarce mental health services, however, may be creating unprecedented psychological risks that experts warn could fundamentally alter how Thais process emotions and maintain authentic human relationships.

Recent international research published in The Guardian reveals alarming patterns among individuals who increasingly rely on AI-generated emotional guidance. Clinical psychologists document cases where patients become so dependent on algorithmically crafted responses that they lose the ability to navigate genuine interpersonal conflicts. The phenomenon represents more than technological convenience—it signals a profound shift in how societies approach emotional well-being during times of crisis.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming from a bleeding-edge technology to a critical tool in international development, positioning itself as the new form of foreign aid for lower- and middle-income countries. As global powerhouses and leading technology firms ramp up their investments in AI infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, a new era in cross-border assistance is taking shape—one that could profoundly alter the development landscape for Thailand and its neighbors.

A recent psychological study has revealed that individuals who experience high levels of boredom are more susceptible to developing social media addiction, raising fresh concerns about the digital habits of Thais amid the nation’s ever-growing use of online platforms. As social media continues to permeate daily life in Thailand—where platforms like Facebook, Line, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok are nearly ubiquitous—the findings provide critical insight for educators, health professionals, and policy makers seeking to promote healthy technology engagement.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to dazzle—and sometimes unsettle—the world with its feats, a new philosophical debate is taking shape: if machines can excel at everything humans do, what is left that is uniquely and intrinsically human? A recent essay in Psychology Today challenges readers to reexamine where humanity’s real value lies as AI systems master not only menial but also creative, empathetic, and intellectual tasks at unprecedented speed and depth (psychologytoday.com).

A new study reveals that nearly 75% of American teenagers have experimented with artificial intelligence (AI) tools—apps and chatbots designed to simulate conversation—for flirting, seeking advice, or chatting about life. Yet, despite AI’s growing role in adolescent lives, the majority still prefer real-life friendships and face-to-face interactions, according to research released Wednesday by Common Sense Media, a leading child-advocacy nonprofit NPR.

This revelation holds particular significance for Thai educators, parents, and policy-makers as social technology and AI-integrated apps become more embedded in youth culture worldwide. As Thai teens increasingly engage with digital platforms, understanding the social patterns, risks, and preferences illuminated by U.S. findings can help anticipate similar trends in Thailand—and shape timely response strategies.

Taiwan’s understated yet formidable rise in the global semiconductor industry is drawing international attention, as highlighted by recent coverage describing the island as Asia’s “secret Silicon island” (The Economist). This burgeoning reputation not only showcases Taiwan’s technical prowess but also signals significant implications for technology, education, and economics across the Asia-Pacific region—including Thailand.

The designation of Taiwan as a “secret Silicon island” underscores its status as the world’s most important center for advanced computer chip manufacturing. At the heart of this are homegrown giants such as TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), whose chips are indispensable for everything from smartphones and computers to cars and AI applications. In fact, TSMC controls more than half of the global semiconductor foundry market, producing chips for major international technology companies (Statista). While Silicon Valley in California has long served as the symbol of technological innovation, experts now acknowledge that Taiwan’s dominance in semiconductor fabrication puts it at the forefront of the global tech supply chain—a fact that remains underappreciated by much of the world.

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is not only transforming industries and daily life but is also poised to tackle one of humanity’s most persistent social issues: loneliness. Recent developments, as highlighted in a feature by The New Yorker, suggest that AI may soon be capable of providing companionship that is emotionally sophisticated and available at any time—an evolution that both excites technologists and worries experts in human well-being (The New Yorker). As these innovations draw nearer to mainstream adoption, Thai society must grapple with both the promises and perils of outsourcing human connection to machines.

In a digital age dominated by artificial intelligence, the way we speak and write is subtly, but steadily, shifting—thanks in large part to tools like ChatGPT. According to a new study by the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, English speakers have begun to incorporate certain AI-style phrasings, termed “GPT words,” into everyday communication at a remarkable pace over the past 18 months. The findings suggest that the boundary between human expression and machine-generated language is becoming less distinct, raising important questions for language, culture, and education in Thailand and around the world (Gizmodo).

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming global communication, but the technology’s darker side is arriving in Thailand as sophisticated scams use AI to impersonate people’s voices, duping both individuals and major institutions. Recent news reports and cybersecurity research illuminate a troubling new trend in which voice-cloning tools allow fraudsters to make convincing phone calls, leaving even the most vigilant Thais vulnerable to deception.

Why does this matter? In an era where phone calls and voice messages are central to daily life—from financial transactions to connecting with loved ones—these AI-powered scams present a serious risk to both the public and organizations across Thailand. According to a survey cited by WFMZ, nearly one in ten people globally have already been targeted by AI voice-clone scams. As voice technologies become commonplace in Thai banking and customer service, the risks multiply, drawing concern from local cybersecurity experts and consumer protection officials.

A recent interview with a Google software engineer offers timely and practical advice for computer science students in Thailand and across the globe, emphasizing that securing an internship—even in a student’s first or second year—can be a crucial gateway to landing a future position at a top international tech firm. The engineer, who earned a full-time offer after interning with Google for two summers, reveals that the threshold for getting accepted into early-stage programs is considerably lower, providing an accessible pathway for aspiring students facing today’s competitive technology job market (Business Insider).

Pope Leo XIV has called on world leaders, tech innovators, and global citizens to ensure the development of artificial intelligence (AI) is guided by ethics, human dignity, and the promotion of peaceful societies. In a message delivered during the AI for Good Summit in Geneva on July 10, 2025, the pontiff urged the international community to establish robust frameworks and regulations that put the “common good” at the center of the AI revolution. As artificial intelligence increasingly shapes key sectors from healthcare and education to governance, the Pope’s intervention underlines mounting concerns about the pace and direction of AI development worldwide.

A groundbreaking study published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances has revealed that everything we perceive visually is not in real time, but actually an average of what we saw up to 15 seconds ago—a revelation that could fundamentally reshape our understanding of human perception and consciousness. This research, led by teams from the University of Aberdeen and University of California, Berkeley, suggests our brains constantly merge recent visual history to present us with a stable, coherent world—essentially tricking us into viewing a smooth, illusionary reality (Popular Mechanics; Science.org; UNILAD).

A new wave of so-called ‘neurohacking’ camps has sparked international curiosity and debate, following the latest Financial Times feature on a retreat in Washington state that claims to deliver “worldly bliss” and decades’ worth of enlightenment in just five days. While the promise of rapid cognitive transformation is enticing, the trend is raising pressing questions about the science, safety, and cultural implications—especially for health-conscious Thai readers seeking to optimize mind and spirit.

A leading Xbox executive has sparked debate in the workforce and technology sectors after advocating for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help laid-off workers manage the emotional and practical challenges of job loss. The executive, speaking candidly about the realities of layoffs in a post on social media, suggested that large language model AI platforms—including ChatGPT and Copilot—can play an integral role in reducing the emotional and cognitive load faced by those navigating unemployment (The Verge).