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In an era where technology and innovation are rapidly transforming the world, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool that empowers humans to create without limits. When used effectively, AI opens doors to new opportunities. With the commitment to enhancing AI skills for Thai people through the “THAI Academy: Driving Thailand’s AI Future” project, Microsoft Thailand would like to share success stories of Thai people who have harnessed the power of AI, driving changes in ways many may not have yet realized.

Turning crisis to opportunity with AI

Wiwat Sathornsawat, or Benz, a freelance photographer severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis in 2019, is among many who decided to seek new opportunities through IT skills development. “I started learning from Microsoft Learn, Microsoft’s free online learning platform. I approached every lesson as if my future depended on it. AI isn’t a tool that will replace human labor, but a partner that helps us work faster, grow more clearly, and truly transform our lives.”

Through self-study and continuous development, within just 5 years, Benz has become an IT expert, increased his income fivefold, and is now planning to launch a startup in the pet industry.

Traditional culture meets cutting-edge technology

At Tamnan Din community in U Thong District, Suphanburi Province, Thanakrit Wongsa, leader of the Thai Song Dam (or Lao Song) community, and his daughter Kwan have applied AI to preserve and promote their 200-year-old cultural heritage. They use AI for language translation, promotional content creation, and community product development research, enabling effective communication with both domestic and international tourists.

Thanakrit explained, “Before we knew about AI, we had to wait for my daughter to return from school on holidays to help communicate with foreign tourists. And many times, when we encountered tourists speaking Chinese, Japanese, or German, we still faced communication barriers.”

Kwan added, “Today, AI isn’t just a tool, but a bridge connecting imagination and creativity. AI conveys local wisdom and traditions in appealing ways, bringing life and new meaning to everyone.”

The success of Tamnan Din community aligns with the AI Skills for Tourism project, a collaboration between Microsoft and the Kenan Institute Asia. This pilot project in U Thong District, Suphanburi Province, supports community enterprise entrepreneurs in the tourism sector.

Revolutionizing classroom education with AI

At Srisuvit School in Chonburi Province, Teacher Wannvisa Homsuwan, or Kru View, has revolutionized mathematics teaching using Microsoft Copilot, transforming a subject many consider difficult into something lively and easy to understand. This helps students visualize concrete mathematical concepts, enabling them to understand and learn faster, and analyze and solve mathematical problems more accurately and efficiently.

Kru View said, “Students who struggle with math problems aren’t incapable; they simply can’t visualize the concepts.”

The School Director Dr. Pattamaporn Fakroek added, “At Srisuvit School, we believe that integrating AI in education isn’t just about technology – it’s about fostering hope and creating a brighter future. It helps us adapt learning to suit different situations and needs.”

This milestone resonates with Microsoft’s collaboration with the Ministry of Education under the THAI Academy project, which aims to develop AI skills for teachers who will then pass this knowledge to all students nationwide. Additionally, there is collaboration with the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST) and the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) to incorporate Microsoft’s foundational AI curriculum into the AI Literacy curriculum for students in grades 4-12.

Transforming Thai Agriculture with AI

K-Fresh, a major Thai coconut exporter, has revolutionized its business with AI, from quality control, freshness analysis, size and sugar content measurement, to market trend prediction for production and delivery planning. The company also uses AI for customer relationship management, buyer behavior analysis, and tailoring offers accordingly.

Waraporn Manusrungsri, Managing Director of K-Fresh, sees AI not just as technology but as a partner that helps her make accurate decisions. She also applies it in her personal life for crafting, designing illustrations for storybooks, and investment analysis. “Previously, we faced market volatility, supply chain issues, and the need for real-time quality control. Traditional methods couldn’t meet the increasing demands of international buyers.”

K-Fresh’s success reflects the importance of the THAI Academy project, where Microsoft collaborates with various organizations such as the Digital Council of Thailand (DCT), the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), and the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) to enhance the capabilities of over 20,000 Thai SME entrepreneurs.

Uplifting sustainable tourism with AI

Darunee Wiriyaiamphigoon, Development Official at the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) in U Thong, Suphanburi Province, has employed Microsoft Copilot to enhance work efficiency in sustainable tourism development projects. From proposing solar farm landscape improvements to constructing a renewable energy management learning center at Suphanburi’s Buddhist Park, she can create virtual images of anticipated outcomes before actual implementation, allowing decision-makers to clearly see the impact.

Darunee stated, “We use AI to handle routine, repetitive tasks so we can focus on creativity and truly enjoy life.”

Dr. Chuwit Mitrchob, Deputy Director of DASTA, adds, “Sustainable tourism isn’t just about attracting tourists to a particular place, but also ensuring that local communities flourish alongside. At DASTA, we see Microsoft Copilot as a bridge connecting tourism, people, and innovation.”

Darunee is one of 120,000 civil servants participating in Microsoft’s AI skills development project, part of the THAI Academy project in collaboration with the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC) and the Digital Government Development Agency (DGA) to develop AI skills for Thai civil servants.

THAI Academy: Driving Thailand’s AI future

The “THAI Academy” project is part of a collaboration between the Thai government and Microsoft Thailand, aiming to provide opportunities for all Thais across every profession and skill level to learn essential new skills in an era where global society and the Thai economy are driven by AI innovation. The project aims to enhance AI skills for over 1 million Thais by 2025, collaborating with more than 35 partner organizations from government, private sector, and civil society, covering four main areas: driving government agencies, developing education, empowering entrepreneurs, and creating inclusive learning opportunities.

The success stories of Thai people from various sectors emphasize that AI is a key to unlocking people’s potential and creating new things without limits. The THAI Academy project demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to creating opportunities for all Thais to access and benefit from AI technology, enhancing quality of life and driving Thailand toward a sustainable future.

Those interested in enhancing their AI skills can learn independently through the AI Skills Navigator platform, which compiles over 200 AI courses and content in Thai, from basic to advanced levels, available for free at https://aiskillsnavigator.microsoft.com/th-th.

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