Thailand’s Expanding Initiatives in AI and Electric Vehicles Garner Business Interest

  • Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation collaborates with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to formulate strategic action plans for AI and electric vehicles (EVs).
  • Second phase of Thailand’s National AI Strategy focuses on bolstering AI across sectors like tourism, trade, finance, security, and production.
  • Six key pilot projects identified for accelerating Thailand’s AI transition, including the establishment of a tourism data center and an AI-driven financial fraud detection system.
  • MHESI leads efforts to position Thailand as a leading EV hub in the Asia-Pacific region, targeting a workforce of 150,000 for the EV sector in five years.
  • EV policy aims for 30% EV penetration in Thai universities and government fleets by 2030, along with fostering 100 skilled entrepreneurs through substantial research funding.

Main AI News:

Thailand’s ambitions in the realms of artificial intelligence (AI) and electric vehicles (EV) are gaining momentum as the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI) and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society forge ahead with strategic action plans.

In March 2024, these ministries convened to outline the trajectory of Thailand’s National AI Strategy and Action Plan’s second phase, honing in on fortifying the AI landscape across pivotal sectors such as tourism, trade, finance, security, and production. The emphasis lies on nurturing a robust AI ecosystem to propel industry advancements.

To expedite Thailand’s AI transition, six pivotal pilot projects have been earmarked. Among these initiatives are the establishment of a centralized tourism data center, the development of an AI-driven financial fraud detection system to combat cybercrime, and the augmentation of AI-based machinery research to bolster industrial productivity.

Simultaneously, in the domain of electric vehicles, MHESI spearheaded a landmark cooperation agreement signing ceremony on March 18, 2024. This agreement orchestrates collaborative efforts among 23 agencies under MHESI’s jurisdiction to steer Thailand towards becoming the premier EV hub in the Asia-Pacific region. The goals are ambitious:

  1. Cultivating a workforce of 150,000 for the EV sector within the next five years.
  2. Targeting a minimum of 30% EV penetration in Thai universities and government agencies’ vehicle fleets by 2030.
  3. Nurturing 100 entrepreneurs with elevated skills and proficiencies in science and technology through the allocation of approximately 3,000 million Baht (GBP65.3 million) in research funding over five years.

The continued prioritization of AI, coupled with the burgeoning focus on EV, underscores Thailand’s commitment to technological advancement. With MHESI steering the National AI Strategy and governmental backing propelling EV initiatives, Thailand emerges as a fertile ground for international collaborations and research endeavors. Additionally, there’s a growing demand for training programs aimed at upskilling the existing workforce to meet the evolving demands of these sectors.

Conclusion:

Thailand’s concerted efforts in advancing AI and electric vehicles underscore its commitment to technological progress. With strategic initiatives in place and government support backing these endeavors, Thailand emerges as an attractive market for international collaborations and research partnerships. This signals opportunities for businesses to engage in the burgeoning AI and EV sectors, particularly through innovative solutions and workforce development programs tailored to meet the evolving demands of these industries.

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