“AI Disrupting Corruption” — Thailand Advances Transparent Systems from the Ground Up through the “CORRUPTION DISRUPTORS” Forum
When AI is not just a tool, but a transformative force in anti-corruption
Bangkok, 15 July 2025 – The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), in collaboration with The Standard Co., Ltd., with support from the NACC Fund, hosted an academic forum titled “CORRUPTION DISRUPTORS: Empowering AI to Fight Corruption” under the theme “When AI is not just a tool, but a force against corruption.” The event took place at the Grand Hall, True Digital Park, Sukhumvit, Bangkok.
The forum served as a platform for dialogue among academics, public officials, technology experts, and civil society representatives from Thailand and abroad. The focus was on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to design systems that are transparent and accountable from the outset—an approach known as “Integrity by Design.” The forum also emphasized the importance of Open Data and Data Governance as foundational elements in combating corruption in the digital era.
NACC Executives Participate in High-Level International Dialogues
Representing the NACC, Mr. Nitiphan Prachuabmoh, Deputy Secretary-General, welcomed Ms. Elodie Beth Seo, Senior Manager of the Anti-Corruption Division at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and discussed potential avenues for collaboration between the OECD and the NACC in advancing transparency initiatives. Also in attendance was Adjunct Professor Dr. Kittipong Kittayarak, Chair of the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), who delivered a keynote address on “Integrity by Design.”
Other senior NACC executives attending the forum included Mr. Mongkol Wutthinimit, Mr. Kiatisak Putphan, and Mr. Wanit Suphawanitsakul, all Assistant Secretaries-General of the NACC.
Learning from Global Best Practices to Shape Thai Systems
A highlight of the event was a keynote lecture by Ms. Elodie Beth Seo, who outlined both the opportunities and risks of AI in the governance landscape. She cautioned that without robust oversight, AI could be exploited for money laundering or concealing illicit transactions. However, she also shared successful examples from countries such as South Korea, Brazil, the United States, Indonesia, and Hong Kong, demonstrating how well-designed AI systems with open, standardized data can enhance public sector efficiency and transparency.
In Thailand, the OECD has initiated collaborations with public agencies, notably through the ACT AI platform developed by civil society. This platform uses AI to analyze procurement data and information about individuals exercising state power to identify potential corruption risks.
Insights from Thai and ASEAN Experts: AI Needs Open Data
In the panel session, leading voices in anti-corruption shared their perspectives, including Dr. Mana Nimitmongkol (Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Torplus Yomnak (KRAC Center), Mr. Phansak Sethsathira (PwC), and Ms. Lamini (KPK Indonesia). All panelists agreed that AI alone is insufficient without transparent and verifiable data. They advocated for the development of unified public data standards to enable effective AI-driven analysis.
Integrity by Design: The Heart of Sustainable Prevention
Adjunct Professor Dr. Kittipong concluded the forum with a powerful message: “Catching corrupt individuals is no longer enough. We must design systems that prevent corruption from occurring in the first place.” He urged the Thai government to reform legal frameworks, build transparent institutions, and foster a culture of public participation—transforming a “fear of disclosure” into a “force for collaboration” as exemplified by the U.S. government’s Open Government principles.
A Starting Point for Real Change
The CORRUPTION DISRUPTORS forum underscored not only the potential of AI but also the core message that “real change begins with a shift in mindset.” If the public, private, and civil sectors can collaborate to build systems that are transparent, accountable, and open—Thai society can develop immunity against corruption from the roots.
“Don’t wait for the system to break before fixing it—build a system that cannot be corrupted from the start.” — The key message from the forum
