Bangkok Christian College introduces Thailand’s first AI-powered student ID

Mar 22, 2025

By Chainarong Monthienvichienchai
Bangkok Christian College (BCC) has launched Thailand’s first AIpowered student ID card, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to support students in personal development, financial literacy, and career planning.

The initiative, introduced on March 10, is a step towards modernising education, though it also came amid growing global discussions on AI ethics, including concerns raised by Pope Francis and the Vatican.

BCC officials said the student ID card, which they claim is the first of its kind in Thailand, offers students more than basic identification.

“This is more than an ID — it is a personal assistant, financial guide, and career development tool, all in one,” said Wichai Seesut, Deputy Director of Bangkok Christian College.

According to Seesut, the card integrates Generative AI and Data Analytics as part of what the school describes as a “seamless learning” approach.

The card provides real-time financial tracking, aims to promote responsible spending, and includes features designed to develop financial literacy.

It also monitors eating habits and analyses nutrition using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) technology.

The system tracks students’ participation in extracurricular activities, with data used to assess individual strengths, interests, and potential career paths, beginning at the primary school level.

As AI technology expands into education and other sectors, the Vatican has raised ethical concerns over its implications.

A Vatican document released recently provides guidelines for AI applications, cautioning against over-reliance on automated systems.

The document, which addresses AI use in fields ranging from warfare to health care, emphasised that AI should complement, not replace, human intelligence.

“The impact of AI’s uses in various sectors may not always be predictable from their inception,” the document said, underscoring the need for ethical oversight.

Pope Francis has also warned about the risks of AI, addressing world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos last month.

In a statement delivered by Cardinal Peter Turkson, the Pope said AI presents “critical concerns” for humanity’s future and could contribute to a “crisis of truth.”

“This technology is designed to learn and make certain choices autonomously, adapting to new situations and providing answers not foreseen by its programmers, thus raising fundamental questions about ethical responsibility, human safety, and the broader implications of these developments for society,” he said.

He urged governments and businesses to approach AI development with “due diligence and vigilance” to prevent ethical compromises.

The BCC AI-powered student card was developed over three years by the school’s Education Policy and Innovation Division and has received official approval from the Bank of Thailand, according to school officials.

The card can be used for tapping to pay for meals in the cafeteria, borrowing books from the library, and checking in to extracurricular activities. --LiCAS News