platforms’ accountability from Thailand’s drafted legislations leaves a regulatory gap that could be exploited, undermining public confidence and safety. At this stage, it remains unclear how the Thai government and relevant state agencies are planning to incorporate GenAI into policymaking. The lack of clarity in this aspect should also be a red flag. During a field research project in Northern Thailand, it was observed that a development project aimed at optimizing agricultural productivity through satellite-based data collection unintentionally marginalized highland communities. Local farmers, many of whom were older ethnic minorities, had little understanding of how their planting cycles, land use, or biometric data were being digitized and fed into predictive models. These models, then, are intended to be used by local authorities to determine the farmers’ land use and land allocation. As a result, some highland communities ended up being told to grow crops in ways that are against their indigenous practices and knowledge. While the intentions were good, the implementation lacked consultation and feedback loops, reinforcing what Mejias and Couldry (2024) describe as "data colonialism"— a renewed effort to seize valuable resources for the benefit of elites based on the extraction and appropriation. In this era, one of the most high-value commodities is data and this local experience reiterates how, without ethical and participatory safeguards, even a well-meaning innovation can replicate extractive dynamics and cause tension between state and citizens. The inclusion of affected communities in the design, implementation, and governance of digital development is critical for trust and legitimacy. Public participation not only democratizes decision-making but also surfaces cultural, contextual, and ethical concerns that designers or policymakers might overlook. Informed consent should go beyond checkbox compliance: it must be meaningful, accessible, and ongoing. Discussion In the pursuit of inclusive digital development, we must not trade rights for convenience and efficiency. Emerging technologies, when governed properly, can offer transformative solutions, but its risks must be openly acknowledged and mitigated. Embedding privacy by design, fostering digital literacy, and grounding governance in justice-based principles are essential. Specifically, countries should consider the following points as they proceed with their digital development agenda. To operationalize ethical AI governance in development contexts, abstract principles such as privacy, participation, and accountability must be translated into measurable outcomes. 7