The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) has outlined its 2026 artificial intelligence (AI) strategic direction in an effort to drive Thailand to become a regional hub of AI governance.
The direction has two pillars: accelerating the development of an AI governance framework and driving practical adoption of AI governance knowledge and tools across every sector.
Rojana Lamlert, an advisor to the ETDA and head of the AI Governance Center (AIGC by ETDA), said the agency wants to strengthen trust across Thailand's AI structure by establishing robust governance foundations through practical guidelines and toolkits, and accelerating real-world adoption through domestic and international collaboration.
The agency wants to enhance AI capabilities among government agencies, educational institutions, SMEs, communities and citizens to ensure responsible, ethical and trustworthy AI use.
The strategy also supports Thailand's readiness to establish the AI Governance Practice Center (AIGPC), reinforcing the country's role as a regional AI hub, she said.
The AIGPC will serve as an operational platform that transforms global AI governance principles into practical implementation, said Ms Rojana.
The ETDA has advanced AI governance initiatives through the AIGC, she said.
AI GOVERNANCE
Through the leadership of the AIGC and collaboration with leading AI experts from around the world, the ETDA has developed AI governance guidelines and toolkits tailored to Thailand's context for adoption across both public and private sectors.
Twelve toolkits are available for implementation, with two more being developed this year, covering ethical AI impact assessment and AI value creation. These resources are designed to help organisations assess risks, manage ethical implications and create sustainable value through responsible AI deployment, said Ms Rojana.
The ETDA is also producing the AI Watch Series, a monitoring initiative that analyses global and domestic AI developments, trends and risks, while generating policy recommendations, legal white papers and research publications to support AI governance frameworks.
She said the agency continues to expand programmes such as AI Governance for Government, supporting AI readiness across 20 ministries; and the AI Change Agent Programme, which has already completed five cohorts and is evolving towards the development of future chief AI officers.
The AIGC aims to develop at least 80 certified trainers and expand AI governance knowledge to more than 3,000 public sector personnel by 2027, said Ms Rojana.
In the education sector, the ETDA is collaborating with the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology, the Office of the Basic Education Commission, Unicef and expert networks to implement the "AI and Digital Ethics for Educators" programme.
The initiative seeks to cultivate AI and digital ethics champions among educators and integrate AI literacy into all learning disciplines.
TRAINING SMEs
For SMEs and local communities, the ETDA is continuing its "SMEs Growth" programme, delivering AI training initiatives across Thailand's four regions.
One training module covers generative AI for SME transformation and AI marketing, connecting businesses with AI solutions that help close capability gaps and accelerate digital transformation.
The agency is also expanding its ETDA Digital Citizen initiative to strengthen digital skills and AI literacy among all citizen groups. Under the programme, the agency aims to instruct 2,000 trainers across 400 districts by 2026 and more than 60,000 citizens nationwide.
In addition, four new AI-enhanced digital literacy courses are being developed under the Digital Personnel Development Institute, covering digital use, communication, security and literacy. The courses are slated to become available on e-learning platforms in September.
Ms Rojana said the ETDA is also targeting strategic sectors, including the justice system.
In collaboration with the Administrative Court of Thailand, the ETDA is organising the Responsible AI Innovation Hackathon (AI for Justice) to encourage the development of AI solutions that improve access to justice, simplify legal processes and promote transparent, accountable and ethical AI use.
The ETDA is preparing to host AI Governance Week 2026, an international platform that bridges global AI governance principles with practical implementation, from June 29 to July 3.
The five-day event seeks to bring together AI governance leaders from Thailand and around the world, including policymakers, regulators, technology leaders, researchers and international organisations.
