Accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and enhancing digital skills are crucial steps for Thailand to boost productivity and remain competitive on the global stage, experts emphasized at a recent forum in Bangkok. The call to action underscores the importance of collaboration between the government, educational institutions, and businesses to harness technological advancements effectively.
Deputy Prime Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat highlighted the need for Thailand to leverage areas where it can develop specialized technological capabilities, such as agriculture, biodiversity, and environmental technology. By focusing on these sectors, which generate valuable local data, Thailand can avoid direct competition with larger economies in mass production. Yodchanan also stressed the importance of strengthening expertise in technologies like sensors, photonics, and advanced semiconductor packaging.
Education is positioned as a cornerstone of Thailand’s AI strategy, with Yodchanan advocating for a stronger emphasis on mathematics, science, algorithms, and systems thinking. He also called for initiatives in lifelong learning, reskilling, and upskilling to keep pace with technological progress. The integration of creativity and entrepreneurship into the curriculum was also noted as essential for preparing students and workers for an AI-driven future.
From the business perspective, Bangkok Bank executive Kobsak Pootrakool urged companies to focus on AI as a tool for improving productivity rather than merely as an experimental venture. He highlighted the necessity of having reliable and well-organized data for successful AI implementation and pointed out the growing influence of automation, robotics, and AI in manufacturing. Investment in technology, infrastructure, data systems, and regulatory frameworks was recommended as crucial for driving forward AI adoption.
Jirayut Srupsrisopa, founder of Bitkub Capital Group, advocated for an AI-first approach across Thailand’s economy, emphasizing that AI could help businesses tackle demographic and workforce challenges. The panelists collectively agreed on the need for robust education systems, data infrastructure, effective regulation, and public-private sector cooperation to convert technological advances into substantial economic growth.