The AI Revolution: How World Powers Are Adapting, and Thailand's Response

Nowadays, AI is a key factor shaping global geopolitics. Each country develops and utilizes AI according to policies that meet its specific needs. The development and application of AI across various sectors are not only transforming economies and societies but also impacting international relations and foreign policies. This article explores the approaches different countries are taking to develop and adapt AI in order to compete and thrive in a technology-driven world.

AI and the Global Landscape

The 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting, themed “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,” emphasized international cooperation to prepare for the age of AI, which will impact economies, employment, and workforce skills. The forum also highlighted geopolitical tensions, such as trade wars and international conflicts, indicating that AI development and usage policies are no longer just about technology but are crucial tools for national competition and global power.

The United States: A Push for AI Advancement under Trump

Under the previous administration, the US pursued rapid and continuous AI development, focusing on deregulation to foster innovation. One significant project, “Stargate,” involves an investment of over $500 billion, aiming to develop AI infrastructure through partnerships with leading companies like OpenAI, Softbank, and Oracle. The project aims to establish large data centers in Texas and expand to other states in the future.

However, this approach drew criticism from human rights organizations. Concerns were raised, particularly regarding the approach to AI governance. This has led to concerns regarding safety and fairness in the use of AI within the US.

China: A Sustainable and Competitive AI Development Plan

China has long-term national AI development plans, aiming to become a global AI leader by 2030. The Chinese government has invested heavily in AI research and development, including support for domestic tech companies. China has also established policies and measures to control AI use in accordance with national values and laws.

Since 2017, China has implemented clear AI policies and development plans, with the goal of becoming a world leader in AI by 2030. The government announced "The Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan," targeting a 1 trillion yuan AI industry value and stimulating related industries to a value of over 10 trillion yuan by 2030, according to mhesi.go.th.

The plan is divided into three phases:

Phase 1 (by 2020): Focus on achieving international competitiveness in AI research and application.
Phase 2 (by 2025): Strengthen the AI industry and innovation, making China a leader in certain areas of AI technology.
Phase 3 (by 2030): Become a global leader in AI theory, technology, and application.

The Chinese government also supports regional AI development. For example, Guangzhou has established a pilot zone for the country's first large-scale AI model in Pazhou (According to ditp.go.th). While Fujian Province launched a three-year (2023-2025) AI industry development plan to enhance its capabilities in this field (According to thaibizchina.com).

China's rapid and comprehensive AI development efforts demonstrate its ambition to become a major leader in this future technology.

The European Union: Balancing AI Promotion with Stringent Regulation

The European Union (EU) has proposed strict AI governance frameworks, focusing on protecting citizens' rights and privacy, and setting high safety standards for AI use. The EU has also proposed the AI Act, which categorizes AI use risk levels and sets different requirements accordingly.

On April 21, 2021, the European Commission proposed the world's first AI law (EU AI Act). This draft law divides AI systems into four risk levels: unacceptable risk, high risk, limited risk, and minimal risk, each with different regulatory measures.

And according to information available on europetouch.mfa.go.th, the draft law also prohibits AI use for mass surveillance and social credit systems.

Recently, the EU has adjusted its regulations to promote AI innovation and investment, simplifying requirements and reporting burdens for AI use to support companies in AI development without creating excessive burdens. However, the EU remains committed to enforcing regulations to maintain security and transparency in the digital ecosystem.

(According to ft.com)

The EU has also allocated over 50 billion euros to support AI development, aiming to compete with the US and China. Meetings between political and business leaders from around the world have taken place to discuss the future of the AI industry, focusing on competition, international cooperation, and public trust in AI.

(According to thesun.ie).

The EU's AI approach reflects its commitment to creating an environment conducive to sustainable AI development while strictly protecting citizens' rights and safety.

Increased AI Support in the ASEAN Region

Neighboring countries of Thailand, such as Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, are beginning to apply AI in various fields for national development. For example, Google developed an AI model on the Google Flood Hub platform to predict floods in 80 countries, including flood-prone ASEAN countries like Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand.

However, AI use in the media of neighboring countries lags behind Thailand. Recent surveys indicate that Thai media are more receptive and adaptable to AI technology.

While information on AI development and use in Thailand's neighboring countries is limited, trends show that these countries are recognizing the importance of AI and are trying to use it for various benefits.

Other Southeast Asian countries have also developed and used AI technology in various fields, such as:

Vietnam: Developing and applying AI in many sectors, particularly in business and manufacturing, to enhance competitiveness.
Malaysia: Using AI in business and industry to increase efficiency and reduce labor costs.
Indonesia: Using AI in businesses and services to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

AI use in these countries impacts economies and societies, significantly reducing workload and saving labor costs.

To prepare infrastructure and promote AI development, Thailand has established a National Artificial Intelligence Action Plan (2022-2027) based on multi-sectoral cooperation. Details can be found at ai.in.th

Global AI Measures and Their Impact on Thailand

AI development and policies of major powers directly impact Thailand, particularly in economics and security. For example, US and China's competition in AI development may lead to changes in the technology supply chain, potentially affecting competition and product prices, of which Thailand is a part. Furthermore, US export control policies on AI technology may affect Thailand's access to advanced technologies. Therefore, Thailand needs to monitor the situation and adapt its policies to align with global changes.

AI use also affects data centers in the country. Businesses using AI require faster processing systems, more storage space, and stable networks to support large-scale data processing and analysis.

The Thai government and relevant sectors need to adapt and prepare for the changes by developing policies that promote AI development and use in various sectors efficiently, including developing workforce skills to meet market demands in the AI era.

The Thai government has designated AI as a key driver of the economy, in line with the 20-year National Strategy (2018-2037), and focuses on developing AI-related laws and policies to support the continued growth of the digital economy, in collaboration with various agencies and related sectors.

Conclusion and Future of AI in Thailand

The development, use, and policies related to AI vary across countries, reflecting their specific needs and concerns, and significantly impact Thailand. Thailand should prioritize monitoring and adapting to these changes to effectively address challenges, compete, and capitalize on opportunities in the AI era.

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