Sherab Lhamo

Thimphu TechPark (TTPL) launched an Information Access Center (IAC) focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) development, yesterday. The IAC at TTPL consists of high-performance workstations, smartboards, and video conferencing facilities.

The primary objective of these center is to create an inclusive environment where the public can access IT resources, enhance IT literacy, and promote international IT collaboration.

Currently, the center is providing four-day training on AI/Cloud-based educational platform training and AI training on Data Labeler, trained by experts from the Republic of Korea.

The AI/Cloud-based educational platform training is for educators and administrators involved in teaching or managing AI and cloud-based courses. The training aims to equip participants with the necessary skills to effectively teach and manage these courses, and to provide insights into developing a comprehensive curriculum that integrates AI technologies into educational frameworks.

The AI training on Data Labeler, aims to teach participants the essential skills for data labeling, a critical process in preparing datasets for training AI models. The participants will learn about the importance of accurate labeling and explore different labeling techniques using Black Olive, a platform provided by Testworks for efficient data management and processing.

There are 36 participants, 18 in each training from various sectors including teachers, lecturers, techpark employees, private and corporate sector, students and IT graduates.

The TTPL official said that the charges for the services are not finalised yet.

The IAC is funded by the Korean government through the National Information Society Agency (NIA), aimed to improve access to information and communication technologies (ICT) for the general public in developing countries to enhance the overall IT environment and foster collaboration within the ICT sector.

The NIA, under the Ministry of Science and ICT, Korea, has implemented the IAC project since 2002. Till date, there are 69 IAC set up by NIA, operating in 51 countries.

The Secretary of GovTech Agency, Jigme Tenzing, said that there’s a growing interest among Bhutanese youth in innovating and developing AI solutions. “We are grateful to NIA for their collaborative approach in designing the Information Access Center, which places a strong emphasis on providing AI facilities and developing AI capabilities.”

He added that this is crucial as many young people are eager to experiment with AI but face limitations in terms of resources and infrastructure.

Bhutan currently has two IACs. The first IAC was established in 2015 at the Royal Institute of Management in Thimphu. The newly established IAC at TTPL, is specifically focused on AI development.

The center has five high-performing workstations with a graphics processing unit (GPU).

The objective of IAC at TTPL is to promote startups and small-scale businesses, enhance ICT growth, provide state-of-the-art computing facilities, serve as a platform for learning and research, equip individuals with basic ICT skills and IT literacy, and facilitate AI training programmes.