Thailand must accelerate its adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance productivity and maintain its competitive edge, according to experts speaking at a recent forum in Bangkok. They called for stronger collaboration between the government, educational institutions, and the private sector to drive this transformation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Yodchanan Wongsawat, emphasized the importance of focusing on areas where Thailand can develop specialized technological capabilities. He suggested agriculture, biodiversity, and environmental technology as sectors ripe for AI development, leveraging the valuable local data they generate. Yodchanan also stressed the need for advancements in technologies like sensors, photonics, and advanced semiconductor packaging.
Education plays a pivotal role in Thailand’s AI strategy, according to Yodchanan. He advocates for a curriculum that places greater emphasis on mathematics, science, and systems thinking, alongside fostering creativity and entrepreneurship. The minister also highlighted the necessity of lifelong learning, reskilling, and upskilling as technology continues to evolve rapidly.
Kobsak Pootrakool, an executive at Bangkok Bank, urged businesses to integrate AI into their operations to boost productivity rather than using it merely as a showcase project. He pointed out that successful AI adoption hinges on the availability of reliable and well-organized data. Pootrakool also noted the increasing significance of automation, robotics, and AI in manufacturing, urging investments in technology infrastructure and data systems.
Bitkub Capital Group’s founder, Jirayut Srupsrisopa, recommended an AI-first approach across Thailand’s economy. He asserted that AI could significantly enhance productivity, especially as the nation contends with demographic shifts and workforce challenges.
The consensus among the panelists was clear: to harness AI’s potential fully, Thailand must invest in robust education systems, improve data infrastructure, enact effective regulations, and foster closer cooperation between public and private sectors to translate technological advances into sustainable economic growth.