What To Know
- This Thailand AI News report highlights how Thailand must transform from being a passive consumer of technology into an active innovator if it hopes to thrive in the coming decade.
- While 5G coverage stretches over 99% of the population, Brekke cautioned that if the network is only used for faster streaming or social media, Thailand will remain a technology consumer, not an innovation hub.
Thailand AI News: Thailand is at a high-stakes crossroads in the age of artificial intelligence. Sigve Brekke, CEO of True Corporation and head of the Telecom & Digital Business unit within the Charoen Pokphand Group, issued a stark warning: technology evolves at breakneck speed, and nations or companies slow to adapt risk being left behind. Speaking at the “Thailand Economic Outlook 2026: Out of the Trap” forum, Brekke described AI not just as a tool, but as a “silent trap” — one that swallows those who delay. This Thailand AI News report highlights how Thailand must transform from being a passive consumer of technology into an active innovator if it hopes to thrive in the coming decade.
The Silent Trap of AI
Brekke drew attention to how AI’s meteoric rise eclipses previous technological revolutions. He contrasted the rapid spread of ChatGPT—100 million users in just two months—with the slower growth curve of the early internet, which took seven years to reach the same scale. Hesitation in adopting AI, he said, may lead firms into a point of no return: “Once the gap is too large, it’s nearly impossible to compete.”
He also criticized Thailand’s current use of its strong digital infrastructure. While 5G coverage stretches over 99% of the population, Brekke cautioned that if the network is only used for faster streaming or social media, Thailand will remain a technology consumer, not an innovation hub. He stressed that industrial sectors and corporate systems must tap into 5G for real transformation, not just consumption.
Jobs, Skills, and a New Social Fabric
In Brekke’s vision, AI will overturn the job market. He forecasts that globally, 92 million jobs will vanish—but 170 million new ones will emerge, demanding digital fluency, data literacy, and continuous reskilling. The workforce of tomorrow must commit to lifelong learning or risk obsolescence.
Beyond the economy, he raised the specter of a “social trap.” Algorithmic polarization—where people see only what aligns with their existing views—could fracture the public sphere, deepen divisions, and erode trust in institutions.
The Digital Survival Code
To navigate this perilous new terrain, Brekke proposed a three-point “Digital Survival Code”:
-Act Bold – Don’t wait for perfect information; make decisions and iterate.
-Be Adaptive – Continuously adjust policies, strategies, and operations.
-Align as One – Ensure organizational unity and shared purpose.
Complementing these principles, Brekke called on the Thai government to pivot from regulation to acceleration. Among the steps he urged: establishing a national AI governance framework, enforcing domestic data storage, organizing centralized data infrastructure, and supporting education and workforce development.
From Warning to Opportunity
While Brekke’s warnings are urgent, they carry opportunity too. Thailand has a chance to recalibrate how it uses AI across public and private spheres. Strong digital foundations already exist—but the real change must come in mindset and implementation.
Thailand must double down on AI infrastructure, not just for consumption, but for creation. It needs a thriving ecosystem of startups, R&D centers, and frameworks that protect data and ethics without stifling innovation. The workforce must be upskilled at scale. And corporations must rearchitect their operations around data and intelligence, not just upgrade systems superficially.
Only by rising to these challenges can Thailand shift from passive observer to dominant player in AI’s next chapter. The road ahead is steep—but delay could cost more than just market share; it might cost relevance in an AI-driven world.
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