Phuket's Artificial Intelligence (AI) City project is gaining momentum as various aspects of city management will be automated using AI.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Phuket AI City development was signed between the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) and CT Asia Robotics Co Ltd on Tuesday.

Phuket governor Sophon Suwannarat on Wednesday said Phuket is already recognised as a Smart City, but the world is rapidly changing, and the city needs to adapt constantly.

The province will move into the AI era across various fields, including environmental management, waste and wastewater treatment, public health, and traffic systems, he said.
 

In the public health sector, the province will receive "Dinsaw", an AI medical aid from CT Asia Robotics, to support health check-ups and elderly care. Three Dinsaws will be used at Vachira Phuket Hospital by early next year.

Chalermpol Punnotok, chief executive of CT Asia Robotics, said these robots can provide initial health screenings and preliminary diagnoses, and can directly link to hospital databases, thereby reducing staff workloads and improving diagnosis accuracy.

He said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also would introduce an AI breath analysis cancer screening system to Phuket in the near future.

Mr Sophon said AI will not only strengthen Phuket's status as a world-class tourist destination but also position it as Thailand's model city for AI-driven transformation.

He also referred to Bangkok and Pathum Thani, two cities already using AI to manage road traffic, and said the Highways Department is studying the possibility of adopting the same technology on the island.

Mr Chalermpol said AI City Phuket will be the first of its kind in the world.

AI can help reduce waste and pollution, minimise residual waste, decrease the number of empty garbage trucks, and increase recycling rates.

It can also help alleviate traffic congestion and contribute to public health.