Solidarity AI is the annual conference of the Platform Cooperativism Consortium (PCC), hosted this year at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. The opening session begins with five minutes on how the gathering came about, from Akkanut Wantanasombut of the Institute of Asian Studies and Ronnakorn “Ronnie” Vaiyavuth of the Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (CSII). They also show how two Thai communal traditions shaped the conference’s visual identity, starting with the banner on its website.
The first is the Thai temple fair, where monks, farmers, vendors, children and elders gather in a celebration made by everyone who takes part. Its bunting, garlands, glowing lights and hand-painted lettering offer a welcoming visual language for AI built with, by and for communities.
The second is kriab glass, the coloured glass mosaics that decorate Thai temples. Skilled hands set each small piece in place, and together they form a shimmering whole that no single piece could create alone. Their bright, tiny units also recall digital pixels, linking traditional craft with today’s technology.
Two leaders from Chulalongkorn then offer a ten-minute joint welcome and share their hopes for Solidarity AI: Pavika Sriratanaban, Director of the Institute of Asian Studies, and Suchada Sukrong, Executive Director of CSII.
Reporter 1: Ronnakorn “Ronnie” Vaiyavuth
Reporter 2: Pavika Sriratanaban
Reporter 3: Melike Kaplan
Speakers
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Akkanut Wantanasombut Head of the ISSIE Research Group at Chulalongkorn University
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Ronnakorn “Ronnie” Vaiyavuth Deputy Executive Director, Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (CSII)
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Pavika Sriratanaban Director of the Institute of Asian Studies at Chulalongkorn University
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Suchada Sukrong Executive Director of the Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation