In July 2022, Thailand unveiled its national AI strategy and action plan, outlining the government's roadmap through 2027 to enhance its AI infrastructure and spur economic growth by harnessing emerging technologies. A significant focus of the strategy is on AI talent development, aiming to create over 30,000 AI professionals within six years and increase the number of public and private agencies utilizing AI to at least 600.
A recent joint report by Microsoft and LinkedIn revealed that 75% of global respondents have already integrated AI into their work, with Thailand's adoption rate notably higher at 92%, surpassing the global average. However, 81% of Thai respondents indicated that they introduced AI into their work independently.
Leadership lags behind AI "power users"
The Nation reported that Dhanawat Suthumpun, Managing Director of Microsoft Thailand, noted that the survey reflects the openness of Thai employees to learning new technologies such as GenAI.
However, the fact that employees are independently integrating AI suggests that Thai companies have not yet fully incorporated AI into their operations. This gap could potentially hinder businesses from fully realizing the strategic benefits envisioned in the national AI strategy for both talent development and enterprise growth.
Dhanawat urged Thai businesses to accelerate their adoption of GenAI to enhance their competitiveness.
The survey also revealed that 91% of Thai business leaders believe AI adoption is crucial for maintaining competitiveness, yet 64% think their company's leadership lacks a clear AI strategy and vision. Furthermore, only 28% of Thai "power users" receive AI-related updates from their teams or departments, compared to the global average of 40%.
"Power users" refers to individuals who have advanced skills and extensive experience with technology or software compared to the average user. In the context of AI and digital tools, power users are those who actively leverage AI capabilities to enhance their work, experiment with new applications, and integrate AI into various aspects of their tasks more effectively than regular users.
In terms of learning opportunities, just 22% of Thai power users receive additional AI training, below the global average of 42%. Additionally, 45% of Thai power users frequently experiment with AI in new contexts, compared to 68% globally.
AI skills trump work experiences
AI skills are increasingly seen as essential in the workplace, both in Thailand and globally. The survey found that 74% of Thai business leaders would not hire candidates without AI skills, higher than the global average of 66%.
If forced to choose between AI skills and work experience, 90% of Thai business leaders prefer employees with AI skills over those with extensive work experience, exceeding the global preference of 71%.
AI and Robotics Ventures, a Thai tech company, also highlighted that the AI and robotics sector presents significant opportunities for the younger generation. In 2024, demand for labor in this sector is expected to increase by 37%, with starting monthly salaries ranging from THB$30,000 to THB$40,000 (US$818.5 to US$1,091.4).
Thana Slanvetpan, General Manager of AI and Robotics Ventures, emphasized the high demand for AI, robotics, data, and automation talents in Thailand, noting that these skills are both new and specialized. Thailand's education sector is responding to this trend by adjusting curricula to meet industry demands.
The current gaps in AI integration within businesses highlight the urgency for Thai companies to align with the country's national strategy. Embracing AI more strategically will ensure that Thailand fully capitalizes on its human capital, aligning with the government's vision for economic growth and technological advancement.
