Thailand has firmly positioned itself at the forefront of ethical artificial intelligence development in Southeast Asia with the official launch of its AI Governance Practice Centre (AIGPC) at the 3rd UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI 2025. Hosted in Bangkok, the forum served as a pivotal platform for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to articulate Thailand’s ambitious vision for a human-centered and inclusive AI future.
In her keynote address, Prime Minister Paetongtarn emphasized that AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a powerful force actively shaping the present. She underscored Thailand’s commitment to harnessing AI for positive societal impact across vital sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education, while simultaneously addressing threats posed by disinformation and deepfakes. A core tenet of Thailand’s approach, she stressed, is to ensure that AI supports, rather than replaces, human workers, advocating for significant investment in reskilling initiatives to protect human dignity.
The AIGPC, established in collaboration with UNESCO, is set to become a key regional hub for promoting ethical AI practices. This center will facilitate knowledge exchange, offer capacity building programs, and support certification initiatives across the Asia-Pacific. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay lauded Thailand’s initiative, noting its alignment with the global organization’s mission to establish universal ethical AI standards.
Thailand’s National AI Strategy, led by the National AI Committee, aims to drive significant social and economic transformation by 2027, with a target of generating at least 4 billion baht in value creation. A crucial element of this strategy is empowering Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to leverage AI tools for cost reduction, productivity enhancement, and improved global competitiveness.
The launch of the AIGPC and Thailand’s proactive stance at the UNESCO forum underscore the nation’s determination to lead the region in fostering a responsible and sustainable AI ecosystem. This strategic move aims to balance technological innovation with robust ethical frameworks, ensuring that AI development serves the common good and contributes to a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
