What To Know
- Under the banner of its newly introduced 5+1 AI Strategy, KBTG is planning to embed advanced Agentic AI into all facets of its operations, transforming internal workflows, software development, and employee productivity through autonomous AI agents and platforms.
- At the heart of the 5+1 AI Strategy is a bold commitment to Agentic AI—autonomous models capable of coordinating and commanding multiple AI systems to handle complex tasks.
Thailand AI News: Kasikorn Business-Technology Group (KBTG), the innovation arm of Thailand’s Kasikornbank, has unveiled an ambitious roadmap that aims to propel the company into the ranks of Southeast Asia’s top AI-driven tech powerhouses. Under the banner of its newly introduced 5+1 AI Strategy, KBTG is planning to embed advanced Agentic AI into all facets of its operations, transforming internal workflows, software development, and employee productivity through autonomous AI agents and platforms.
KBTG accelerates its AI revolution with Agentic tech and human-first innovation.
Image Credit: Kasikorn Bank
KBTG’s President, Ruangroj Poonpol, revealed that the group’s strategy is anchored in the principle of Human-First x AI-First Transformation—a philosophy that merges AI-driven innovation with human expertise to reshape financial services. This Thailand AI News report reveals how this integrated approach goes beyond replacing jobs with automation. Instead, it focuses on empowering employees to use AI as an augmentation tool that eliminates repetitive tasks and frees up time for higher-value work. The strategy is aligned with Kasikornbank’s broader 3+1 business transformation plan, which centers on efficiency, sustainability, and technological innovation.
Agentic AI Takes Center Stage
At the heart of the 5+1 AI Strategy is a bold commitment to Agentic AI—autonomous models capable of coordinating and commanding multiple AI systems to handle complex tasks. KBTG is not just adopting these technologies but is developing its own Agentic AI systems to revolutionize its software development life cycle (SDLC) and banking operations.
The five main pillars of the strategy include:
-AI for Banking – Enhancing core financial services.
-AI for IT Delivery & Operations – Optimizing IT systems and workflows.
-AI & Data Platform – Creating infrastructure for scalable AI use cases.
-Governance and Ecosystem – Ensuring ethical and secure AI practices.
-AI Tech Business – Developing AI products for commercial deployment.
The ‘+1’ stands for People—KBTG’s focus on equipping employees with the tools, platforms, and knowledge to actively participate in AI innovation.
From Coding Agents to AI Playgrounds
Assistant Managing Director of Software Development Excellence, Jirat Srisawat, elaborated on how KBTG is embedding AI into daily operations. The internal platform AthenaMind, a 24/7 AI chatbot, supports staff by providing answers on HR, cybersecurity, and regulatory topics. Meanwhile, the AI Coding Assistant has been deployed to more than 600 engineers and testers, increasing software development productivity by over 45% in some areas. Over 10 million lines of code—roughly 10% of all developed code—have already been generated and refined using AI, resulting in savings of over 32 million baht.
In the coming months, KBTG plans to scale this capability even further, integrating AI into all roles within the SDLC—from business analysts to DevOps engineers. Trials using the company’s proprietary tools have shown striking improvements. In one case, a software task that previously took a full workday was completed in just 15 minutes.
Raising the Bar for AI Testing and Standards
Ms. Mesinee Nakamanee, Deputy Managing Director of Software Quality Management, highlighted the launch of “Chai LAI,” KBTG’s AI-powered Testing Agent. Chai LAI supports various testing functions, including automation, data management, and system performance analysis. Over 500 testing scripts have already been generated by the AI to date.
To ensure AI is developed responsibly, KBTG also introduced “Sai JAI”—a compliance and behavioral monitoring framework that ensures all AI systems meet both internal and international governance standards. These tools underscore KBTG’s commitment not just to innovation but to trustworthiness, security, and ethical practices in AI development.
Engineering a Future Powered by Modular AI Platforms
Mr. Wannalop Wisitthamakun, Assistant Managing Director of Intelligence Engineering and Data Technology, emphasized that KBTG’s AI initiatives go far beyond adopting off-the-shelf tools. The group is building its own modular AI platforms, including a Large Language Model Gateway (LLM Gateway) that allows teams to select and deploy the most suitable AI models for specific tasks. This modularity reduces dependence on any one provider and increases adaptability.
An exciting component of this initiative is the AI and Data Playground, a collaborative space that allows employees to build their own AI agents. With preloaded tools and security frameworks, this platform reduces development time from 30 days to just one. The goal: democratize AI creation across the organization, turning every staff member into a potential innovator.
Thailand’s Future Tech Powerhouse in the Making
KBTG’s long-term objective is clear—become a leading AI-Infused Tech Powerhouse in the region. By marrying Agentic AI with human creativity and expertise, the group is redefining how financial technology can improve lives and reshape the economy. Their approach balances the speed and power of AI with a firm belief in people as the cornerstone of digital transformation.
Through platforms like the AI Playground and tools like AthenaMind and Chai LAI, KBTG is creating a culture where innovation is not confined to the IT department—it’s an organization-wide movement. The company’s focus on quality, security, and sustainability ensures its AI systems not only perform at scale but also align with social responsibility and global compliance standards.
What sets KBTG apart is its emphasis on enabling its people to build the future themselves. By giving every employee access to AI agent creation tools, KBTG is creating a living ecosystem of innovation, setting a benchmark for Thailand and the entire Southeast Asian region. As the company continues to accelerate its transformation in the second half of 2025, it is poised to deliver breakthroughs that will redefine banking and enterprise AI.
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