AI speaking Isan now available! KKU has invented “Wow Ja’ AI that transforms statements into Isan spoken language, the first of its kind ever in Thailand. The “Wow Ja’ is first used on the public transportation – KK City Bus. This has also built Isan identity and conserved the local dialect with new technology.

Development of AI is of interest all over the world, owing to a great number of tools and devices that help people’s lives more convenient nowadays. AI can transform sounds into statements and statements into images, or transforms statements into sound. Most of these are AI use of communication in English and Thai.

“Some Isan children nowadays cannot speak Isan. We therefore want to use the technology we researched as part of the means to conserve the local dialect.”

The concept sparked Isan young lecturer like Dr. Pongsatorn Janyoi, a lecturer of the College of Computing, Khon Kaen University and the owner of “Wow Ja”, decided to study and conduct research on the Natural Language and Speech Processing (NLSP). This is one branch of AI that makes use of computer to understand human language or natural language and transform statements into Isan spoken sound. The outcome also helps conserve the local and foundation of culture by the use of technology.

His research since he was studying the master’s degree and Ph.D. degree programs, under the supervision of Asst. Prof. Pussadee Sirisaengtrakoon, Ph.D., began from collection of over 5,000 sentences of the central Isan language spoken by native speakers. It was a well-over 6-hour record, on which he spent many months of collection. The record then underwent a statistical model process, synthesizing the sound naturally until the first AI version of sound transformation became successful.

That was the development before the second version or “Wow Ja” was invented using the Deep Learning where AI helps in transforming the statements into complete and correct Isan sound. Female voice has also been added.

“Wow Ja” can be easily used by just typing Isan reading. AI will synthesize it and change to Isan sound. It can be applied in many uses. Lately, Khon Kaen city bus has brought “Wow Ja” to announce the stopping points along the route. It has become the signature of Khon Kaen public transportation that tourists and users will be impressed.

Try listen to AI Wow Ja with male sound

Try listen to AI Wow Ja with female sound

Asst. Prof. Pussadee Sirisaengtrakoon, Ph.D., Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, the College of Computing added that the research on Natural Language and Speech Processing (NLSP) carried out at the college does not only cover AI Wow Ja that synthesizes sound, but there is also the program that translates language using the information retrieving tool, sound synthesizing, recognition of spoken sound, recognition of ancient letters and it can be applied in other sciences as well.

“Transforming statements into sound is very useful, especially for people with vision deficiency, who will be able to perceive information and news by listening. Wow Ja can be applied in various industries such as tourism, public relation, or medicine, and it will help conserving Isan culture into the future for the next generation.”

For those interested in using AI Wow Ja, please contact the Research and Innovation Section, College of Computing, Khon Kaen University. In the future, Wow Ja will be developed until it is full cycle, covering typing Thai words and transforming them to Isan sound, changing sound into statement and translating Thai into Isan or vice versa, as well as creating VOICE BOT similar to Siri in Isan and Thai to assist people to communicate. Then finally development will go on to cover other dialects.

News: Phanit Khatanak

[Thai]

The post Cool! KKU has developed AI called “Wow Ja” that transforms statements into Isan spoken language – the first of its kind in Thailand appeared first on KHON KAEN UNIVERSITY.

Khon Kaen University Library now opens the AI Clinic to introduce the Generative AI tools and the set of orders for researchers including: SciSpace, ChatPDF, ChatGPT, Alisa, which are researchers’ assistants that enhance occupational skills for digital-era students, protecting them from AI disruption.

Even though Artificial Intelligence or AI emerged for a long time; the Generative AI such as Chat GPT, after 5 days of launch, has already served one million users. This clearly reflects the popularity of AI at present, not counting other tools technology companies have developed, causing the hot AI war that affects all circles.

Assoc. Prof. Kanda Saikaew, Ph.D., Deputy Director for Digital Technology and Innovation of KKU Library explained that the factors pushing AI’s leaping growth during the end part of this year are due to the increasing calculation power that in turn arose from the growth of hardware used for dealing with big data that emerge every second. In addition, there has been the advance of algorithm, open research and collaboration, investment and interest of the industrial sector, and technological advances in the relevant fields such as the data processing of natural languages.

Nevertheless, Generative AI is a tool or technology used and developed for creating different items that are similar to things created by man. New data can be created based on the data learned before. Generative AI can produce images, audio, texts, etc. in accordance with a user’s requirement. At present, Generative AI can be used and can increase the efficiency of work.

KKU enables students to avoid being disrupted by AI.

Khon Kaen University Library opens the AI Clinic to provide instruction for the use of Generative AI and the set of orders for researchers. Initially the service will include: SciSpace, ChatPDF, ChatGPT, Alisa. Every day there will be a Prompt Librarian to give instruction for the use of these functions to assist researchers, lecturers, and students. The assistance covers reading, drawing conclusion, analysis of good and bad points of articles, proposing unexpected research issues, checking English grammar. By just uploading the AI required, the work will take less time and the user will find it convenient and ease in doing their research.

“Some people said they are fired out due to AI. Many companies, however, need employees with skills in AI. Khon Kaen University therefore will enhance the skills for our students so that they are not disrupted by AI.”

Despite tremendous benefits, AI is still the intelligence that has been invented. Assoc. Prof. Kanda suggested that the data displayed by Generative AI may not be 100% accurate. The language used may not be complete. Some tool may not be based on a clarified reference. Therefore, what is important is that we need to possess knowledge about the data that we want Generative AI to create. We need to perform research, analyze more so that the research outcome will be accurate and efficient.

“ChatGPT 3.5 is still the version collecting data until September 2021. There are problems about questions and answers in Thai. But lately, Khon Kaen University has bought the license for ChatGPT Plus with ChatGPT 4 for the clients of the AI Clinic. Users will find this more efficient, with the Thai language system and the Plug-in accessory that brings more efficiency.”

Turnitin – the tool that helps lecturers check students’ assignments.

In addition, Miss Yosyada Sitthiwong, the Prompt Librarian at the AI Clinic, KKU Library said that the clinic does not only provide knowledge about the use of AI tools, but the clinic also transfers knowledge in the use of Turnitin for checking articles or research work created by AI. This will assist teachers and lecturers when correcting their students’ assignments.

“KKU Library offers a Learning Program that trains our clients to use information technology and AI in parallel with the AI Clinic. Advices will be provided on the use of AI and the tool that checks plagiarism as well as the tool that checks statements constructed by AI. In-depth and full-cycle services are open from Mondays-Fridays.”

Students, lecturers and the public are invited to AI Clinic, Khon Kaen University Library on official days and time free of charge. For more information or reservation for service, contact: Tel. 09-3592-2556 or enter FB Chat Plugin at: http://library.kku.ac.th

or e-mail: library.inbox@kku.ac.th

Online service will be available soon.

News: Phanit Khatanak

[Thai]

The post KKU launches AI Clinic to assist researchers and enhance occupational skills for digital-era students appeared first on KHON KAEN UNIVERSITY.

No one can deny now that the world is heading towards a complete digital commerce. At present small businesses and big companies all sell their products through online platforms. This shows that AI technology has been continuously developed for marketing and for increasing sales, in order to correspond to the consumers’ behaviors. It is not surprising when someone says that only a thought of something makes it at once appear on his/her screen. This means that AI is indispensably hiding in all activities and all consumers’ behaviors. It is not exaggerating to say that a company with predominating marketing AI technology will beat its rivals in the digital world.

A first year student from the College of Computing, Khon Kaen University, majoring in information and artificial intelligence, Miss Natnarin Phonpraphruet, who has conducted an AI project for developing a company’s product introduction system revealed that she chose this program because she wants to use the knowledge with her family’s business, and the knowledge can be applied in other areas that she is interested in. This program is divided into the theoretical part and the practicum part.

“The product introduction application project was firstly inspired from the family business. The business was used as the development model.  For example, if a client orders ink for printing, rubber stamps, or a printer, AI will organize the algorithm of the purchasing history of the client, and thus will be able to introduce something similar. Besides, in continuing the studies at a graduate level, the program emphasizes multiple broad-based Learning, for students to connect things they have learned together and therefore will obtain in-depth understanding. This can be applied in all fields: medicine, business, accountancy, etc.”

“When I come to study in this program, I like it because the knowledge can be applied in many fields, not restricted only in any specific field. We can also learn in depth in all fields. For younger students who are interested in this program, you don’t have to worry about your computer background. If we do not stop to learn, we can study in the program. The program suits anyone who wants to develop himself and is ready to learn new things,” said Natnarin.

The advance of technology does not only propel economy but also education programs so that they are up to date. The AI program of the College of Computing of Khon Kaen University is therefore the field that will prepare graduates in AI for the world’s present demand.

Article: Jiraporn Prathomchai, a public relation officer, Communications Division, KKU and Miss Thanjira Phonsaenjan, a practicum student

Photos: Natthawut Jaruwong, a visual aid officer, Communications Division

[Thai]

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