#ThailandEducation

A staggering 97% of young people aged 16–29 in the European Union now use the internet daily, according to the latest statistics released by Eurostat in July 2025. This near-universal connectivity among EU youths—an increase from 87% just a decade ago—carries important lessons for developing digital literacy and inclusivity in Thailand, where similar trends are emerging but at different rates and with different challenges. The findings reflect both how deeply digital technology has become embedded in young Europeans’ lives and how the gap between youth and the broader population is narrowing, raising questions about digital readiness in the wider Thai community as the kingdom embraces its own digital transformation.

The US Supreme Court has given the green light for former President Donald Trump’s administration to significantly downsize the federal Department of Education, a move that slashes the agency’s workforce by nearly half and could fundamentally reshape the American educational landscape. This landmark decision, permitting mass firings and large-scale buyouts, not only spotlights sharp ideological divides in US education policy, but also sends signals around the world about the future of government involvement in public education.

In a controversial move set to affect students, parents, and educators alike, Missouri has become the latest US state to introduce a sweeping cell phone ban across all public schools. Signed into law by the governor and effective from the upcoming academic year, Senate Bill 68 prohibits students from possessing their phones on campus during the entire school day—including lunch breaks and time between classes—except in emergencies or for medical needs. This new policy, already practiced by some districts, now becomes mandatory statewide, with school authorities tasked to ensure its enforcement and navigate its consequences for the educational ecosystem.

A journalism educator’s recent firsthand account published in Business Insider is drawing new interest to the practical benefits and cautious optimism surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms, offering a thoughtful look at how digital tools like ChatGPT can empower teachers while highlighting irreplaceable human aspects of education. The story, based on the experiences of a media ethics and English teacher in the United States, is sparking conversations among Thailand’s educators and policymakers on how best to harness AI’s potential for Thai schools and learners (Business Insider).

Claims that artificial intelligence (AI) could soon replace computer scientists are deeply misguided, according to the latest research published in The Conversation. As anxieties rise about the role of AI in the future of work, particularly in technical professions, this new analysis by a leading academic in the field emphasizes that computer science expertise will remain indispensable for years to come (The Conversation).

The recent surge of generative AI technologies, such as language models and coding assistants, has sparked widespread speculation – including among prominent economists and secondary school advisors – that computer science degrees may be rendered obsolete. These narratives have gained so much traction that some Thai students are reportedly being discouraged from pursuing computer science or software engineering, with fears that AI will make these careers redundant.

A new article published in Psychology Today, titled “Why Systematic Thinking Creates Minds That Mirror Algorithms,” has sparked concern among educators and parents worldwide by suggesting that modern educational methods may be inadvertently stifling creative thinking in students. The research-backed piece points to the risks of prioritizing systematic, algorithm-like problem-solving approaches—a hallmark of many school curricula today—at the expense of nurturing originality and divergent thinking, skills crucial for thriving in a rapidly changing global economy.

A new in-depth look at the integration of computer technology in education reveals both transformative benefits and complex challenges, offering a fresh perspective for Thai educators and policymakers seeking a balanced approach to digital learning (Lafayette College). The findings, based on a comprehensive classroom study at Lafayette College, showcase how computer science education is being reimagined to foster critical thinking, ethical awareness, and cross-disciplinary dialogue—signaling vital cues for Thailand as it accelerates its national “Thailand 4.0” agenda.

A growing wave of concern is sweeping through universities worldwide as advanced AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude become the latest frontline in academic dishonesty, raising fundamental questions about the future and value of higher education. Recent reporting in Vox’s “The Gray Area” podcast and a deeply researched feature by a New York Magazine writer has brought the issue into sharp focus, revealing widespread patterns of AI-enabled cheating, mounting faculty frustration, and institutional inertia that have left many educators and students disillusioned or resigned (Vox).

A groundbreaking study has found that applying mild electrical currents to the human brain—using a non-invasive method called transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS)—can significantly improve mathematics learning in university students. The research, conducted by a team at the University of Oxford and reported by Live Science, hints at the potential of this technique for at-home use in the future, though experts caution that more evidence is needed before such tools become widespread or mainstream (Live Science).

A recent incident at a prominent American university has reignited global debate over the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. On March 25, students enrolled in an undergraduate computer science course were informed that “clear evidence of AI usage” had been detected in one-third of submissions for a major problem set. The announcement, made via the course’s online platform, presented students with a stark ultimatum: admit to using AI within 10 days and accept a significant grade penalty, or risk more severe disciplinary measures, including referral to the university’s Executive Committee (ExComm) for academic misconduct (Yale Daily News).

Universities across the globe must redefine their purpose to prioritize lifelong learning in an era dominated by artificial intelligence (AI), according to the president of Northeastern University, who warns that higher education risks becoming obsolete if it fails to adapt. Speaking during a keynote address at the event “Engineering the Future with Artificial Intelligence,” held at Saint Joseph University in Beirut, the Northeastern University president emphasized the urgent need for higher education to extend its focus beyond young students, highlighting the transformative impact of AI on both learning and society.

A remarkable coalition of over 250 CEOs—including leaders from Microsoft, Airbnb, and Uber—has issued a joint call urging policymakers to make computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) education a mandatory part of school curricula in the United States. Their concerns arise as China directs children as young as six to attend formal AI classes, fueling fears that nations lacking such initiatives may fall dangerously behind in global technological competitiveness (Fortune).

As artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT become increasingly integrated into education systems worldwide, much of the narrative has focused on a supposed crisis of academic integrity. Critics warn of students cheating en masse, forfeiting genuine learning, and entering the workforce less prepared than their predecessors. Yet, first-hand student perspectives reveal a more nuanced reality: the rapid embrace of AI in higher education is less about laziness and more about adapting to systemic upheaval, resource scarcity, and the lingering aftershocks of the Covid-19 pandemic (The Guardian).

Artificial intelligence is driving a dramatic transformation in higher education, pushing universities worldwide to shift beyond their traditional focus on young students and research to embrace lifelong learning for all. The latest research and expert commentary, highlighted by a keynote address from the president of Northeastern University, underscores a global pivot—one that is increasingly relevant for Thailand’s rapidly evolving educational landscape (Northeastern University; Forward Pathway). Amid the rise of generative AI and large language models such as ChatGPT, higher education institutions face mounting pressure to adapt, or risk obsolescence.

A new global survey has found that nearly 30% of teachers are now using artificial intelligence (AI) tools on a weekly basis, a trend that could free up around six weeks’ worth of working hours each year. This rapid adoption signals a shift in how educators prepare lessons, grade assignments, and support students—putting AI at the heart of a classroom transformation that has important implications for Thailand’s education system.

The findings, published by Gallup and referenced in their recent article, highlight the increasing integration of digital technologies worldwide and point to promising opportunities for educators facing time constraints and heavy workloads. For Thailand, where teacher shortages and administrative burdens remain persistent challenges, adapting to these trends could lead to significant improvements in both educational quality and teacher well-being.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek’s recent proposal to end or entirely overhaul Multnomah County’s flagship Preschool for All program has ignited fierce debate across the United States, drawing attention from education policymakers far beyond the Pacific Northwest. Citing what she described as the program’s failure to deliver on its promises despite hundreds of millions of dollars in funding, Governor Kotek declared, “The program as it stands cannot keep its promise” — a statement that has sharply divided public officials, early education advocates, and the families the initiative was designed to serve (OregonLive).

The latest Gallup and Walton Family Foundation poll has revealed a striking transformation taking place in classrooms across the United States: six out of ten K-12 public school teachers now use artificial intelligence tools to help grade papers and develop lesson plans. But as these digital assistants free up valuable time and streamline workflows, a majority of educators warn that the pervasive use of AI could be making students less independent, potentially dulling their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This debate over AI’s dual-edged impact is gaining global relevance, with far-reaching implications for Thailand’s rapidly digitalising education sector.

A new study published in Nature reveals that even when you’re zoning out or aimlessly exploring, your brain may be hard at work preparing itself for future challenges. Researchers at the prestigious Janelia Research Campus, part of HHMI, recorded the neural activity of tens of thousands of neurons in mice. Their findings suggest that unstructured, goal-free exploration triggers the brain’s visual cortex to build an internal model of the environment—one that primes the mind for faster, more effective learning later on (Neuroscience News).

Amidst the rise of artificial intelligence, a recent thought-provoking essay has sparked global discussion about the transformation of learning in the age of ChatGPT and similar technologies. As AI becomes deeply woven into everyday life and education, some experts warn that schools—whether intentionally or not—are acting more like vocational training grounds, emphasizing task completion through technological shortcuts rather than the cultivation of critical thinking, original expression, and holistic intellectual growth. This trend, experts suggest, may have profound implications for Thai students, educators, and society at large (Psychology Today).

With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies capable of generating computer code from simple prompts, a pressing question has emerged: Will computer science as a discipline—and the jobs of programmers—soon become obsolete? The answer, according to recent in-depth analysis and expert commentary, is a resounding no. As AI becomes an increasingly common fixture in the world of software development, it is reshaping but not replacing traditional computer science roles, opening new opportunities for innovation—and requiring a new set of skills from practitioners and students alike (Herzing University).

A new study led by the University of Edinburgh has found that children who struggle to manage their emotions as early as age seven are at a much higher risk of developing anxiety and depression during their teenage years. The research, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders and funded by the UK’s Medical Research Foundation, tracked nearly 19,000 young people and uncovered a clear connection between early difficulties with emotion regulation and later internalizing problems such as sadness, worry, and fear. The findings highlight the critical importance of teaching emotional coping skills in childhood—a lesson with profound implications for parents and educators in Thailand and around the world Neuroscience News.

A significant academic integrity scandal has erupted at Yale University after “clear evidence of AI usage” was flagged in roughly one-third of submissions in a popular computer science course, raising urgent questions on the reliability of AI-detection and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education. Over 150 students were enrolled in Computer Science 223 (“Data Structures and Programming Techniques”) when students and faculty alike were thrust into the center of a debate that echoes far beyond Yale’s campus.

The Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) in Orlando this year spotlighted one of the most pressing challenges in global education: making computer science accessible for every student and teacher. With more than 9,000 participants from around the world, experts at the event—including the director of computer science education for an international robotics firm—discussed how tools like block-based programming are leveling the playing field for young learners and non-expert educators alike. For Thailand, where the push for digital transformation is accelerating, these developments resonate strongly with efforts to bridge digital divides across urban and rural classrooms.

The latest global rankings of the most educated countries, released by CBRE Research and widely reported in international media, have produced some unexpected results: the United States, long perceived as a leader, is now surpassed by several other nations, while Ireland emerges as the world’s top country for higher education attainment. Meanwhile, Thailand, although making strides in education, remains outside the top cohort, fueling discussions on the nation’s future competitiveness in an increasingly knowledge-driven world [thinkstewartville.com][Visual Capitalist].