- The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) of Thailand has announced its 2026 AI strategy to position Thailand as a regional AI governance hub.
- The strategy focuses on two main pillars: developing an AI governance framework and promoting the practical adoption of AI governance tools across all sectors.
- ETDA aims to build trust in the national AI ecosystem through specific guidelines, toolsets, and practice standards.
- The agency also aims to enhance AI capabilities for government agencies, schools, SMEs, communities, and citizens to promote responsible and trustworthy AI use.
- The new plan supports the establishment of the AI Governance Practice Center (AIGPC), a platform for implementing international AI governance principles in Thailand.
- Through the AI Governance Center (AIGC), ETDA has developed AI governance guidelines tailored to the Thai context for both the public and private sectors.
- Currently, 12 AI governance toolsets are ready for use, with two more being developed this year.
- These tools include ethical impact assessments of AI and building sustainable value from AI.
- ETDA is also launching the AI Watch Series to track domestic and international AI trends while developing policy recommendations and legal documents.
- The AI Governance for Government program is supporting AI readiness for 20 Thai ministries.
- The AI Change Agent program has completed 5 training courses and is expanding to develop future Chief AI Officers.
- AIGC aims to train at least 80 certified instructors and disseminate AI governance knowledge to over 3,000 civil servants before 2027.
- In education, ETDA is collaborating with UNICEF and educational authorities to launch the “AI and Digital Ethics for Educators” program.
- The program aims to build a team of pioneer teachers in AI and digital ethics, integrating AI literacy into all subjects.
- For SMEs, the SMEs Growth program is organizing AI training across four regions of Thailand.
- Courses focus on generative AI, AI marketing, and connecting businesses with appropriate AI solutions.
- The ETDA Digital Citizen program aims to train 2,000 instructors across 400 districts and popularize AI knowledge for over 60,000 citizens nationwide by 2026.
- Four new digital skills courses with AI integration will be available on online learning platforms starting in September.
- ETDA is also expanding AI into the justice sector through the Responsible AI Innovation Hackathon to develop solutions for justice access and legal transparency.
- AI Governance Week 2026 will take place from June 29 to July 3, bringing together policymakers, regulators, tech companies, and international organizations.
📌 Thailand is shifting its focus from AI development to building a national-scale AI governance system. ETDA is not only developing 12 AI governance toolsets but also aims to train over 3,000 civil servants, 80 specialized instructors, and popularize AI knowledge for over 60,000 citizens. Simultaneously, there are programs for teachers, SMEs, and the justice sector. With the preparation for the AI Governance Practice Center and the organization of AI Governance Week 2026, Thailand aims to position itself as Southeast Asia’s AI governance hub, focusing on trust, ethics, and responsible AI deployment.
