Amazon Web Services (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon.com, has announced a partnership with Chiang Mai University (CMU), a public research institution in Thailand, to develop cutting-edge generative artificial intelligence platforms. The university has introduced ChatGen and Matthew, generative AI tools aimed at enhancing educational outcomes for over 52,000 students and staff. These platforms support functions such as content summarization, data analysis, document creation, and translation, aligning with CMU's goal to become an "AI University."
The implementation of these AI tools is timely, with 86% of students already incorporating AI into their studies. CMU has emphasized an ethical, university-approved approach to AI integration, ensuring that students and staff have free access to these resources.
CMU leverages AWS services, including Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technology and Amazon Bedrock foundation models, to create a scalable and agile AI assistant. ChatGen utilizes Amazon Nova and is integrated with CMU's systems, offering functionalities like academic planning and career advice through the Student Compass AI assistant.
The platforms are part of a broader CMU ecosystem, with Matthew focusing on educational outcomes, allowing professors to develop course-specific AI assistants. This innovation supports students in coursework preparation and enhances AI literacy.
CMU has established guidelines to promote ethical AI usage and prevents academic dishonesty with anti-plagiarism software, supported by Amazon Bedrock Guardrails and Amazon Simple Storage Service for secure data management.
Assistant Professor Dr. Chaiy Rungsiyakull highlighted the significance of this transition, stating, "Becoming an AI University isn’t just about using new tech—it’s about rethinking how we teach, research, and work." AWS's Eric Conrad praised CMU's efforts, emphasizing their pioneering role in using AWS's AI services responsibly.
Chiang Mai University's collaboration with AWS exemplifies the potential for AI to transform education by democratizing access while adhering to ethical standards.