Thailand’s bid to enhance economic competitiveness hinges on faster adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), bolstering digital skills, and fostering collaboration among government, academia, and business sectors. This strategy, as discussed at a recent forum in Bangkok, could significantly boost productivity across various industries.
Deputy Prime Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat emphasized the importance of focusing on areas where Thailand can develop niche technological capabilities, rather than trying to compete with larger economies in mass production. He identified agriculture, biodiversity, and environmental technology as promising sectors for AI development, given their potential to generate valuable local data. Additionally, Yodchanan stressed the need for Thailand to enhance expertise in key technologies such as sensors, photonics, and advanced semiconductor packaging.
Education is poised to play a pivotal role in Thailand’s AI strategy. Yodchanan called for a stronger emphasis on mathematics, science, algorithms, creativity, and systems thinking, alongside lifelong learning initiatives to adapt to evolving technologies. This educational push is aimed at equipping the workforce with the necessary skills to thrive in an AI-driven economy.
Kobsak Pootrakool, an executive at Bangkok Bank, highlighted the necessity for businesses to utilize AI as a tool to enhance productivity rather than merely as a showcase. He pointed out the critical role of reliable and well-organized data in successful AI implementation and underscored the importance of investing in technology, infrastructure, and regulations to support this transition.
Jirayut Srupsrisopa, founder of Bitkub Capital Group, advocated for an AI-first approach across Thailand’s economy to address demographic and workforce challenges. He and other panelists at the forum agreed on the need for stronger educational frameworks, improved data infrastructure, effective regulation, and robust public-private partnerships to drive technological advancements into tangible economic benefits.