DES minister says building trust key to creating AI hub

Thailand is strategically positioning itself to become a leading artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Southeast Asia, differentiating itself in a competitive regional landscape by emphasizing trustworthy AI. The nation's strategy hinges on building confidence and reliability, rather than solely on technological prowess.

Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob outlined the national AI strategy, built upon three core pillars: infrastructure, trust, and people. This approach aims to foster a sustainable AI ecosystem. Thailand boasts substantial data center capacity, currently around 350 megawatts, with plans for over 2.8 gigawatts in the long term. The Board of Investment has approved nearly 40 data center and cloud projects, enhancing the country's connectivity and investor appeal.

Austin Zheng, deputy managing director of Huawei Thailand, noted the rapid shift of generative AI from experimentation to commercial use, with many enterprises already leveraging AI for productivity gains. He stressed that as AI adoption grows, safety, privacy, and controllability are crucial for sustained development. China's significant influence in global AI, with its open-source models being cost-effective, positions Thailand favorably as a regional gateway, supported by its 5G coverage and developing data center capacity.

However, the path forward is not without obstacles. Businesses in Thailand face challenges such as high computing costs, fragmented and low-quality data, AI models not tailored to local industries, and a scarcity of AI talent skilled in bridging technology with business strategy. To address these, companies are advised to focus on high-value use cases, develop AI models using local data, and cultivate professionals with dual expertise in AI and business operations. Huawei has committed to supporting Thailand's AI ambitions by providing full-stack AI infrastructure and training 40,000 AI developers in the coming years to cultivate an open, secure, and inclusive AI system.

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AI's true value lies not in technological sophistication, but in the benefits it delivers to people and the trust it earns