Thais are thriving in the digital and creative economy: entrepreneurs, creators, community advocates, and many others are using social technology every day to improve their lives, as well as the lives of their families and communities. Throughout the pandemic, social technology has kept us connected with family and friends, helped us develop new skills and hobbies, and explore economic opportunities.
Michael Bäk, Head of Public Policy, Facebook Thailand saids When we announced our company’s name change to Meta and a commitment to building the future of social connection – the metaverse – it came with a strong belief that technology’s ultimate promise is to improve people’s lives, and bring us closer together. Over the last 18 years, Meta’s platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp have helped people connect across the world. Thais an incredibly influential part of our global community, guiding the development of products through their innovative use of our technologies.
The metaverse is the next step in social connection – and Thai creativity and talent will once again exist at the forefront.
Like many companies, developers, creators and imagineers, Meta is progressing towards the Metaverse by focusing on building the infrastructure behind the future of social technology. We are at the start of the journey to the Metaverse and Thais across many sectors of society are already developing and experimenting with forward-thinking ideas.
We believe Thai communities will also thrive in the next era of digital. While nothing beats being there in person, our shared experience throughout the pandemic has shown that technologies like the metaverse can safely keep us connected and create that genuine feeling of togetherness. It also presents boundless possibilities for the creative and digital economies.
As we build for the metaverse, it is imperative that all voices are heard, all communities’ needs are appreciated, and diverse and inclusive perspectives drive the enabling environment. Anyone building the architect or writing the guardrails for the Metaverse must invest in our diverse communities, actively seek diverse voices and ensure no one is left behind.
It’s All About Community
Meta isn’t going to build or run the metaverse on its own – no one company should. It requires collaboration, insights, imaginations, and inspiration from diverse communities: companies, developers, experts, civic groups, human rights advocates, entrepreneurs and policy makers alike. We must make sure that historically under-represented people – including women, people with disabilities, gender and sexual minorities, religious and ethnic minorities, people living with HIV, among many others who have all too often been on the sidelines – have seats at the table, and their voices are heard.
We want diverse voices at the center table. That’s why we are investing in efforts to build skills, develop connections, and empower diverse communities around the country.
Since we opened our office in Thailand four years ago, we have been blessed with magnificent collaboration with just such diverse communities from across Thailand – from Lanna to the far south, from Isaan to the Western mountains. For the Metaverse to create value for everyone, then all voices must be part of the project. Our commitment to developing Thai people’s digital skills continues, so that future stakeholders in the Metaverse have the experience, language, and confidence to fully participate.
During the pandemic, we worked closely with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation to provide credible information related to Covid-19 and support national vaccination efforts through launching an automated experience called “Chat Sure” that reached nearly 10 million Thais. We expect new, immersive experiences will continue to be quickly adopted by Thais to address community needs, whether during future emergencies to encourage empathy for those experiencing hardship, creating spaces for diverse groups to showcase art, history and culture, or for the next breakthrough start-up.
Meta’s collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) further illustrates the community-based impact of tech, with hundreds of SMEs from TAT’s supply chain network participating in Boost with Facebook training to inspire creative uses of social technology.
Investing in Tomorrow’s Tech Co-creators
Meta is not building the metaverse for itself. It is part of an ever-expanding network of stakeholders building for the future. Meta’s role is to accelerate the development of fundamental technologies and contribute to an inspiring enabling environment. An important part of this effort is ensuring the technology of tomorrow is built on integrity, addresses harmful content, ensures data privacy, and promotes safety.
Equity and inclusion are not just feel-good measures; they are essential to ensuring tech keeps everyone safe while making sure everyone can access the benefits. That’s why it is imperative to invest now, up front, in shaping the skills and aptitudes of those who will realize the promises of this next frontier of technology.
Meta has been investing in digital literacy and safety resources and tools for over a decade. A core focus in Thailand is providing inclusive opportunities for people from all walks of life, in all parts of the country – whose lived experiences are often very different from each other. We do this by working with local partners in government, civil society, and the private sector. This includes our partnership with the Institute of Community Colleges (ICC), under the Ministry of Education, to develop a Digital Citizenship curriculum to be taught as part of the Institute’s ‘Digital Technology’ course, reaching up to 3,000 first year students across 20 community colleges in Thailand every year. These community colleges will also invite communities around their campuses to learn new skills and leverage their new potential. Great way to pay it forward ICC!
Another example of investing in the future is through the collaboration with our network of diverse community partners. We Think Digital Thailand has brought digital citizenship and skills building to historically marginalized communities while bringing them into the broader discourse around the digital economy. Working with over 40 Thai partners across non-profit organizations (NGOs), civic groups, and government agencies, We Think Digitalbrings creative digital citizenship modules and content that help communities of entrepreneurs and community leaders to create and participate responsibly in the digital world. Through Kenan Foundation Asia, we have armed more than 4,000 Thai SME leaders and 1,500 teachers, students and senior citizens with vital foundational resources and skills.
In 2022, we are excited to team up with more organizations, including the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. With MSDHS, we will bring more innovative tools to provide diverse communities – including single moms, youth, senior citizens, community leaders, and people with disabilities – with digital literacy skills and resources to earn a living and participate in the digital economy in a safe and meaningful way.
#UnknownTogether is a campaign leveraging social technologies to address stigma around mental health, promote proactive measures we can take to ensure our mental well-being, and develop empathy for those struggling with mental illness. In partnership with Thai NGO Knowing Mind, social change agency LoveFrankie and the United Nations in Thailand, this campaign reached millions of Thais through creative workshops, experiential art, and accessible resources – all through virtual touchpoints on Instagram, Facebook, and FB Live.
We view these as important long-term investments in people and communities, whose voice, experiences, and creativity will play crucial roles in ensuring the Metaverse creates opportunities for all people.
Fulfilling the Promise of Diversity and Inclusion in the Metaverse
Only by bringing a diverse body of lived experiences, innate human qualities, expertise, and imaginations can we ensure the Metaverse serves all people.
No single company can or should build the Metaverse. Only through investing in inclusive approaches to building the skills and capabilities of diverse communities today, can we ensure the Metaverse is built for everyone. We are incredibly proud of our investments in diverse communities in Thailand over the years, and we look forward to pursuing these into the future, and into the Metaverse.
And we encourage others in the private sector, government and civil society to do the same.
