On 6 March 2026, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) organized a policy dialogue titled “AI ❤︎ U: Future Thais in the Age of AI.” Held as part of the One Stop Open House 2026, the session was opened by Dr. Pimporn Chewananth, Secretary to MHESI Minister, who also delivered the keynote address.
Dr. Pimporn noted that in today’s global landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is a critical technology shaping economic systems, the future of work, education, and national competitiveness. For Thailand, the key challenge is not only how to apply AI, but how to develop a workforce capable of transforming Thai people from technology users into creators who generate value, innovation, and shape the nation’s future. To address this challenge, MHESI has launched the “AI ❤︎ U” policy to strengthen the country’s human capital, particularly within higher education. The initiative aims to equip learners with the skills, knowledge, and mindsets required to thrive in the AI era. The policy positions MHESI as a key enabler in mobilizing higher education, research, and innovation to harness the power of AI in support of Thailand’s national development strategies.
“MHESI is committed to developing human capital across all age groups—from youth and university students to working-age individuals and the elderly—to build a learning society where Thai people can creatively, responsibly, and ethically leverage AI. Our ultimate goal is to transform Thais from AI users into AI creators, thereby building a highly skilled workforce that will serve as a key pillar of the innovation-driven economy. This will help attract technology investment, enhance national competitiveness, and enable Thailand to become a country capable of producing talent, developing technologies, and generating sustainable economic value,” Dr. Pimporn said.
The event also featured a panel discussion with distinguished speakers, including Prof. Dr. Surin Khomfoi, Vice President of NXPO; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rattachat Mongkolnavin, Chair of the AI Love U Committee; Asst. Prof. Dr. Aran Blattler, Director of the Robotics and Automation Engineering Program, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB); Dr. Chinawut Chinaprayoon, Subcommittee Member of the Program Management Unit for Technology and Innovation for Future Industries under the Research and Innovation Acceleration Agency for Competitiveness and Area Development; and Dr. Chai Wutiwiwatchai, Executive Director of the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).
Prof. Dr. Surin emphasized the importance of Responsible AI, highlighting the need to promote responsible development and use of AI in education while strengthening the higher education ecosystem. He also underscored the importance of establishing standards and ensuring credibility in AI applications to advance Trustworthy AI in Education. Prof.
Dr. Surin also highlighted several AI initiatives implemented by MHESI in collaboration with relevant agencies:
- AI in Admission – A platform that allows prospective university students to input their examination scores into a system where AI analyzes the data and recommends suitable academic programs. The system can connect with relevant databases, including NXPO’s workforce demand database, enabling students to better understand labor market demand and plan their education and career paths more effectively.
- AI in Curriculum Accreditation – AI is used to evaluate academic programs against established accreditation frameworks, assessing whether learning outcomes and program structures meet required standards.
- AI in Career Guidance – AI links students’ skills with labor market demand to identify suitable career pathways. The system can analyze the competencies required for specific professions, compare them with students’ existing skills, and recommend areas for further development. This initiative forms part of a Skill Portfolio system currently being developed by MHESI to support targeted skills development and future job matching.
The dialogue concluded with several policy recommendations, including accelerating the development of a national AI ecosystem that integrates education, research, and industry to cultivate AI talent capable of developing technologies and innovations that will drive Thailand’s future economy. These efforts should be grounded in the principles of Trustworthy AI and Responsible AI to ensure ethical and reliable technology use, while adopting an industry-centric approach that responds directly to the needs of industry and the real economy.
