What To Know
- Thai design graduates are finding themselves in a fierce competition with artificial intelligence as companies embrace automation in creative industries, reshaping Thailand’s art and design landscape.
- As the country navigates the balance between innovation and authenticity, the next era of design in Thailand may belong not to those who resist AI, but to those who learn to redefine it.
Thailand AI News: Creative graduates now battling machines for opportunities
When 26-year-old Bangkok native Natcha Prasertsakul graduated from Silpakorn University’s Faculty of Decorative Arts in 2020, she never imagined she would one day compete with algorithms for creative jobs. But that is exactly what’s happening across Thailand’s design industry in 2025. With AI tools capable of producing stunning visual content within seconds, many Thai graduates now find themselves struggling to convince employers that human creativity is still worth paying for. In recent years, brands in Thailand and globally have embraced AI-generated marketing campaigns, reshaping the landscape of creative employment. This Thailand AI News report found that companies in Bangkok are adopting tools like Midjourney, DALL·E, and Runway to replace or reduce design staff, triggering concerns among both young creatives and educators.
Thai design graduates are finding themselves in a fierce competition with artificial intelligence as companies embrace automation in creative industries, reshaping Thailand’s art and design landscape.
Image Credit: AI-Generated
AI reshaping creative industries in Thailand
Leading Thai companies are following global trends. Beverage giants like ThaiBev and Singha have already experimented with AI-driven ad visuals and motion graphics, while real estate developers such as Sansiri and Ananda have turned to generative design for 3D property renders. Fashion start-ups are using AI to design patterns for clothing collections and virtual models for campaigns, reducing the need for photographers and stylists.
These shifts are particularly worrying for graduates from design institutions like King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Rangsit University’s College of Design, and Chulalongkorn’s Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, who once expected a growing creative economy. Now, they face an increasingly automated industry where speed and cost efficiency outweigh artistic nuance. Employers are demanding that new hires master both traditional design skills and AI-based creative tools — or risk being left behind.
Graduates rethinking their career paths
For young designers like Natcha, the job hunt has become more discouraging than ever. “I’ve sent out more than a hundred portfolios and only got a few replies,” she said. “Clients now expect a week’s work done in one day.” She recently began learning motion animation and interactive design to differentiate herself, echoing a broader movement among Thai designers to upskill. Many others have shifted toward freelance or hybrid careers, combining art, social media content creation, and AI consulting.
Industry surveys by Thailand’s Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) predict that graphic design and advertising roles could decline by up to 25% by 2030 as AI continues to expand into visual and branding domains. Still, creative leaders say all is not lost. Dr. Suwannee Pichitkul from Bangkok University’s School of Communication Arts believes the industry is simply “transforming, not disappearing.” She explains that Thai designers must learn to collaborate with AI, treating it as a partner rather than an enemy.
Adapting education and expectations
University lecturers are beginning to respond. Mahidol and Thammasat have integrated AI design courses into their curricula, while Silpakorn’s Faculty of Decorative Arts is now hosting workshops on ethical AI use in advertising. These programs aim to prepare the next generation of Thai creatives for a world where artistry meets automation. Employers, too, are shifting their expectations. Boutique Bangkok agencies such as Studio Nakorn and IdeaCraft say they now hire applicants who can showcase a “distinct human touch” in their work—something that stands out amid AI-generated uniformity.
The path forward for Thai designers
The growing tension between human and artificial creativity is reshaping Thailand’s design identity. While AI may streamline commercial work, it can never replicate the emotion, cultural awareness, and local sensibilities embedded in Thai visual storytelling. For graduates, mastering AI tools while preserving the uniquely Thai artistic voice may become the ultimate key to survival in the years ahead. As the country navigates the balance between innovation and authenticity, the next era of design in Thailand may belong not to those who resist AI, but to those who learn to redefine it.
For the latest on the degree of AI adoption in Thai companies, keep on logging to Thailand AI News.
