The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) along with its Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO) have collaborated with AIS Academy and IRIS Consulting to introduce the Thailand AI Readiness Index project (TARI), the country's initial initiative designed for organizations.
The collaboration seeks to assist organizations in evaluating their preparedness for artificial intelligence (AI) and enhance both business competitiveness and national policies within the age of AI.
The outcomes of the evaluation are scheduled to be announced in December.
By 2027, companies taking part in the survey will be provided with an AI Competency Report, akin to an AI Competency Certification.
Thailand aims to develop artificial intelligence systems to establish itself as an affordable center for technological advancements and data storage facilities.
"Artificial intelligence is no longer merely a technological advancement; it has become a key factor influencing national growth throughout the economy, industries, innovations, and employment," stated Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat from MHESI during the project's unveiling.
He mentioned that the capacity of Thai organizations to implement AI efficiently will play a key role in enhancing the nation's sustained competitive advantage.
The TARI provides an easy-to-navigate assessment of Thailand's preparedness for artificial intelligence, enabling the country to evaluate its strengths compared to neighboring and international counterparts, pinpoint areas needing improvement, and develop specific policies and supportive programs, according to Mr. Yodchanan, who is also part of the National AI Committee.
He stated that progress in artificial intelligence should be a country-wide initiative within the framework of the "AI for All" strategy, with MHESI establishing the groundwork in scientific research, technological innovation, human resource cultivation, and real-world applications of AI across sectors such as industry, farming, and medical services.
This move occurs amid Thailand encountering three significant worldwide challenges: technological rivalry, environmental changes, and an aging population.
Tackling these issues will demand enhanced data resources, ranging from satellite information used in environmental tracking to genetic data applied in personalized healthcare.
"Thailand should not depend entirely on external technology and infrastructure. For genuine resilience and creativity, we need to establish our own technological systems, such as data centers, domestic hardware development, and protected storage for critical information sets," stated Mr. Yodchanan.
He stated that Thailand's neutral position in geopolitics and its central location within Southeast Asia allow the nation to serve as an economical center for technology and data hubs.
Critical milestone
"Thailand is at a critical milestone in its transition to an AI economy -- one that is reshaping how we work and redefining national competitiveness," said Kantima Lerlertyuttitham, deputy chief executive and chief corporate officer at AIS.
The main issue isn't whether artificial intelligence will take over jobs, but rather how we equip individuals, companies, and the country to leverage AI in order to enhance efficiency and drive economic development, she stated.
Many organizations aren't short of technology — what they're missing is clear insight into their preparedness, starting points, and ways to effectively leverage AI for tangible business outcomes, according to Ms. Kantima.
Drawing on AIS’s expertise in leading AI transformations, including fostering AI awareness and enhancing employee capabilities as well as integrating AI into corporate products and services, she stated that AI implementation should begin with a thorough assessment of preparedness among individuals, competencies, data, procedures, and organizational culture—not just technological investments.
Driven by AIS's mission of "Thinking Ahead for Thais," AIS is collaborating with top partners to create TARI as a shared platform aimed at assisting Thai organizations in evaluating their preparedness, pinpointing shortcomings, and outlining an effective strategy for adopting artificial intelligence.
"TARI will serve as a crucial tool to assist Thai organizations and the nation in confidently advancing towards the AI-driven economy—where success is determined by how well entities can leverage it," said Ms. Kantima.
At TARI, our motivation comes from a sense of social duty. We hold the view that a business can't thrive unless the nation as a whole progresses.
TARI is a resource designed to assist the private sector advance methodically using a well-defined structure, instead of merely acquiring technology, she explained.
The president of NXPO, Surachai Sathitkunarat, mentioned that one major obstacle in developing AI policies is the absence of accurate and thorough data regarding the preparedness of Thai companies for artificial intelligence.
Existing information is still scattered, complicating the evaluation of preparedness within various sectors.
TARI will offer a unified evaluation system to help all industries gain a better understanding of their preparedness.
Mr Surachai stated, 'NXPO will leverage collective findings from TARI to create targeted assistance programs tailored to specific industries, supported by robust data management practices to foster confidence and guarantee ethical application of data in shaping policies.'
AI CAPABILITY REPORT
Chatchai Khunpitiluck, leader of AIS Academy, stated in 2027 that the TARI evaluation will take place biannually, along with the introduction of the "AI Capability Report," which serves as a diagnostic tool for organizations to assess their preparedness for artificial intelligence.
"Once the evaluation is finished, organizations will obtain an index score that enables them to compare their level of preparedness for artificial intelligence with others in their sector and the country’s average," Mr. Chatchai stated.
He mentioned that implementing artificial intelligence within corporations involves certain dangers, such as adherence to laws, safeguarding consumer information, and preventing unauthorized data exposure.
With this program, organizations can obtain an AI preparedness evaluation at no cost, even though these evaluations are usually provided for a fee.
The index will act as a useful guide for leaders to manage the rise of artificial intelligence, weigh potential dangers against organizational advantages, and prevent funding AI technologies until essential elements—like AI strategy, data preparedness, and oversight—are established.
The evaluation process will consist of three levels: leading organizations headed by top-level managers from key sectors, involving detailed interviews, business collaborators, and local stakeholders such as small and medium enterprises.
Boriwat Pinpradab, head of IRIS Consulting, stated that the firm observes numerous organizations keen on embracing artificial intelligence, yet unsure about where to start—whether with personnel, information, or procedures.
Several organizations have initiated AI projects but face challenges in expanding their influence throughout the company, which highlights the importance of a standardized evaluation tool.
As part of this partnership, TARI evaluates an organization's preparedness through eight areas: AI strategy and leadership; data handling; technology and systems; personnel and AI expertise; oversight and risk; AI applications and generation of business value; organizational climate and transition management; and AI deployment and achieved outcomes.
More than 40 top organizations have become early adopters of TARI. The program will eventually grow to include small and medium enterprises and their supply chains, aiming for 5,000 participants in the initial stage and 20,000 in the following period.
Entities wishing to participate in TARI may sign up at https://thailand-tari.ai .