(from left) Mr. Dhanawat Suthumpun, Managing Director of Microsoft Thailand, and Mr. Prasert Jantararuangthong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, launch the “THAI Academy: Accelerating Thailand’s AI Future” initiative
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The Royal Thai Government, through the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, has joined forces with Microsoft Thailand to launch the “THAI Academy: Accelerating Thailand’s AI Future” initiative, which aims to provide over 1 million Thais with valuable opportunities and resources for AI-centric upskilling. As part of an ongoing collaboration between the Thai government and Microsoft, the program is supported by a growing network of 35 partners across the public and private sectors in a collective effort to drive Thailand’s progress in the AI-first era.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Mr. Prasert Jantararuangthong, stated, “AI is a transformative technology that plays a critical role in positioning Thailand for robust growth on the global stage. The Thai government has laid out a National AI Master Plan that addresses development in multiple aspects – including widespread and inclusive AI literacy for Thai citizens. This partnership for the THAI Academy program is well aligned with our interest in working with global tech leaders to enhance Thailand’s competitiveness.”
Mr. Dhanawat Suthumpun, Managing Director of Microsoft Thailand, said, “We would like to thank the Thai government for making AI upskilling a priority for Thai citizens. Through the THAI Academy program, Microsoft is working with public- and private-sector partners to make AI learning opportunities widely accessible for Thai people. We want to help equip the workforce with what they need in this fast-changing landscape, and the goal is to upskill over 1 million Thais by the end of 2025”.
AI Skills Navigator: An AI Skilling Platform for All Thais
AI Skills Navigator is an online learning platform featuring over 200 AI courses from Microsoft. The courses are designed for a wide range of learners – from inexperienced beginners and general users to specialized professionals and software developers. Notable starter courses for learners include:
- AI Basics – Foundational knowledge of AI, including the history behind the technology and the basics to get started
- AI Skills for Everyone – A concise course on effectively using Microsoft AI tools in everyday tasks and scenarios
- Azure AI: Zero to Hero – An introduction to cloud and AI for aspiring software developers and students, enabling them to create AI-powered tools and solutions to solve problems and boost productivity
Dhanawat added: “People are the most important factor in driving national transformation. If we do not start developing AI skills today, we may lose out on growth opportunities and rapidly fall behind the competition. With these skills in hand, we can expect to see not only increased productivity but also greater momentum in innovation and national progress. Investing in AI skills today prepares us for a future filled with opportunities and challenges. Data from LinkedIn shows that 70% of the skills required for most jobs in the future will differ from those needed today, with demand for AI-related skills increasing by six times.”
Any learner can begin their AI skilling journey today at AI Skills Navigator free of charge. In addition to the 200 curated courses, the platform can also recommend tailored courses and learning paths based on each individual’s goals and interests.
Continued partnerships with government agencies for inclusive AI upskilling
Beyond the AI Skills Navigator platform, the THAI Academy program also encompasses partnerships with government agencies to address the varying needs of different sectors. Key initiatives under the program include:
Enabling government agencies to drive AI fluency
- Collaboration with the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC) and the Digital Government Development Agency (DGA) to train over 100,000 Thai civil servants in AI skills. Additionally, Microsoft is also partnering with DGA to host the “Tech for Gov – Next Gen Gov AI Training Program”, inviting public sector personnel to learn and share ideas on leveraging AI for national benefit.
- Partnership with the Department of Skill Development, Ministry of Labor, to provide AI upskilling for over 100,000 Thai workers and job seekers nationwide.
- Partnership with the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) to provide specialized cybersecurity training for more than 300 NCSA personnel and representatives from critical information infrastructure organizations. This collaboration also covered AI and cybersecurity training for over 10,000 students.
Unlocking AI for Education
- Partnership with the Ministry of Education to train 4,500 teachers in AI skills, enabling effective outreach to over 400,000 students nationwide. Further collaboration with the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST) and the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) to integrate Microsoft’s foundational AI content into the AI Literacy curriculum for students in grades 4–12.
- Partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation to equip 50,000 university students in technology-focused fields with AI skills, fostering a new generation of developers to strengthen Thailand’s AI workforce.
Scaling up with businesses and national industries
- Collaboration with the Digital Council of Thailand (DCT), the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), the Stock Exchange of Thailand’s LiVE Exchange, the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP), the SME Development Bank, and the Thai Chamber of Commerce to enhance the capabilities of over 20,000 Thai SMEs through AI.
Ensuring Equal Access to Learning and Employment Opportunities
- Collaboration with the Office of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission (ONDE) and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to train AI skills for staff managing 1,722 ICT Learning Centers nationwide, ultimately achieving outreach to more than 250,000 citizens.
- Launch of AI skills courses via the AI Skills Navigator to support freelancers and non-traditional workers through self-paced AI skill development.
For more details about the THAI Academy initiative, visit https://thai-academy.com/en/ or start your AI learning journey today at AI Skills Navigator.
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