The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has become a pressing concern for governments, businesses, and civil society organizations around the world. In recent months, Southeast Asian countries have taken significant steps to integrate AI into their economies and societies, with Thailand at the forefront of this trend.
On August 6, 2025, H.E. Mr. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, chaired a debrief session on the “Building an AI Policy Toolkit: Insights from Southeast Asia” workshop and the subsequent networking dinner. The event was attended by over 45 representatives from Thai government agencies, the private sector, and academia involved in AI policymaking, as well as experts from the government sectors of Southeast Asian countries, Japan, and the OECD.
The objectives of the workshop were to enhance the role of all Thai sectors to “co-create” global AI governance policies through the OECD and to support Thailand’s accession to the OECD. The Secretary to the Minister emphasized the importance of all sectors taking part in AI policy development, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building.
Thailand focuses on developing human capital, applying technology to improve transparency and efficiency in the public sector, and strengthening the country’s economic competitiveness, particularly in healthcare, finance, tourism, and energy. The importance of preventing the misuse of AI in areas such as online fraud, illicit money transfers, and transnational crime was also highlighted.
This debrief provided a summary to the workshop titled “Building an AI Policy Toolkit: Insights from Southeast Asia,” co-hosted by Japan and the OECD earlier on the same day. The OECD will incorporate the outcomes of the workshop into the development of the OECD AI Policy Toolkit – the world’s first comprehensive guide on AI-related policies, aimed at maximizing the benefits of AI based on shared values and principles.
Historically, Thailand has been a key player in regional economic integration efforts, particularly through its membership in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). The AEC aims to promote free trade, investment, and economic growth among its member states. The integration of AI into these efforts is expected to further enhance the region’s competitiveness and attractiveness to foreign investors.
However, the development and deployment of AI also raise significant concerns about data protection, cybersecurity, and job displacement. Thailand has taken steps to address these issues, including the passage of the Personal Data Protection Act 2019, which aims to regulate the collection, use, and sharing of personal data in the digital economy.
The role of AI in Southeast Asia is not without controversy. The region’s strong emphasis on state-led development has led some critics to argue that the adoption of AI could exacerbate existing social and economic inequalities. Others have expressed concerns about the potential for AI to be used as a tool for surveillance and control by authoritarian governments.
Despite these challenges, the integration of AI into Southeast Asia’s economies and societies is expected to bring significant benefits. According to a report by the International Institute for Management Technology (IIMT), the adoption of AI in Southeast Asia could lead to increased productivity, improved efficiency, and enhanced competitiveness in key sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and financial services.
In conclusion, the rise of AI in Southeast Asia is a development that has significant implications for global governance. As the region continues to integrate its economies and societies, it will be important to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared equitably among all stakeholders. This requires a coordinated effort from governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and individuals to develop policies and practices that promote responsible innovation, data protection, and social responsibility.
Expert Insights
“Southeast Asia’s adoption of AI presents both opportunities and challenges for global governance. On the one hand, AI has the potential to drive economic growth and improve living standards in the region. On the other hand, there are significant concerns about data protection, cybersecurity, and job displacement that must be addressed.” – Dr. Suporn Wongsathidikul, Senior Research Fellow at the Chulalongkorn University
“The integration of AI into Southeast Asia’s economies and societies requires a coordinated effort from governments, businesses, and civil society organizations. This includes developing policies and practices that promote responsible innovation, data protection, and social responsibility.” – Dr. Pongsaporn Wongnirun, Assistant Professor at the Prince of Songkla University
Recent Developments
In July 2025, Thailand’s Ministry of Finance launched a national AI strategy, which aims to drive economic growth through the adoption of AI technologies.
In June 2025, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) announced plans to develop a regional AI policy framework, which will provide guidance on the development and deployment of AI in Southeast Asia.
In May 2025, Japan’s government launched a new initiative to support the adoption of AI in Southeast Asia, which includes funding for research and development projects, as well as training programs for developers and practitioners.
Future Outlook
In the next six months, Thailand is expected to continue its efforts to develop human capital, apply technology to improve transparency and efficiency in the public sector, and strengthen the country’s economic competitiveness. The adoption of AI is likely to become increasingly important in these efforts, with a focus on developing policies and practices that promote responsible innovation, data protection, and social responsibility.
Over the longer term, Southeast Asia is expected to play an increasingly important role in global governance through its participation in regional economic integration efforts, such as the AEC. The development of AI is likely to be a key driver of this trend, with significant implications for global stability, security, and prosperity.
The integration of AI into Southeast Asia’s economies and societies presents both opportunities and challenges for global governance. As the region continues to develop its capacities in AI, it will be important to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared equitably among all stakeholders. This requires a coordinated effort from governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and individuals to develop policies and practices that promote responsible innovation, data protection, and social responsibility.