19-12-2023 (BANGKOK) Thailand is setting its sights on becoming the artificial intelligence (AI) hub of Southeast Asia by 2027, with the aim of attracting increased foreign investment in cloud data centres, according to Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert Jantanaruangthong.
This ambitious goal is underpinned by the ministry’s “cloud first” policy, focusing on promoting public use of a planned single digital ID platform for accessing government services, coupled with the development of a skilled AI workforce.
The country plans to roll out the second phase of its national AI strategy roadmap in 2024, spanning the period from 2022 to 2027. The overarching objective is to generate 48 billion baht in business and social impacts by 2027.
Mr Prasert, speaking at the Huawei Cloud AI Summit Thailand 2023, emphasized the government’s aspirations for Thailand to become ASEAN’s AI hub within the next four years. This strategic move aligns with the broader adoption of innovation to propel economic growth and ensure inclusive social development.
A key milestone towards this vision will be the National Digital Economy and Society Commission’s meeting by December 22, chaired by the prime minister, which will prioritize discussions on the second phase of the national AI strategy roadmap. The agenda also includes plans for a national digital ID as a single platform for accessing government and private sector services, streamlining the existing multiple ID platforms.
In collaboration with tech giants from the US, China, and Japan, Thailand is working towards establishing cloud data centres. At the Huawei summit, Mr Prasert signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Huawei, covering areas such as building AI knowledge specific to Thailand, facilitating the ministry’s transition to a digital economy, AI training for employees, and reskilling/upskilling for SMEs and startups.
The MoU aims to create generative AI use cases and applications using the Thai language, fostering the development of AI skills among the workforce with a target of 50,000 skilled workers within five years.
David Li, CEO of Huawei Thailand, highlighted AI’s potential to transform industries, emphasizing Huawei’s role as the largest investor in the Thai AI industry. He expressed Huawei’s commitment to assisting Thailand in piloting AI for future development and rapid digital transformation.
The government’s national AI strategy seeks to improve the country’s AI readiness index ranking from 59th in 2021 to the top 50 by 2025, with a goal of generating 48 billion baht in business and social impacts by 2027. Huawei’s collaboration includes the development of a Thai language model and breakthroughs in meteorology, contributing to the digitization of Thailand’s agricultural and tourism sectors.
