How AI skills are expanding the circle of opportunity in Thailand

Read this article in Thai

A dry leaf lying on the ground took on new life after a primary school student picked it up. With the help of AI, the child turned that humble leaf into a charming pattern printed on cotton bags, green read notebooks, and bottles-local products made by her community and sold online.

What began as a child's artwork has grown into income for families of the Thai-Cambodian Border Grassroots Economic Community in Buriram's Non Din Daeng District.

"Anyone can use AI. The key is using it responsibly for society. What we have done demonstrates how AI empowers people and proves it is not a threat," said Kanokwan Phannaparnukun, a former teacher who now supports this community enterprise in Buriram.

This is what it looks like when opportunity expands. Creativity becomes economic participation, and technology becomes a bridge to new possibilities.

AI skills drive progress

The program in Non Din Daeng has been replicated in communities throughout Thailand as part of the "Microsoft Elevate" initiative designed to support global digital transformation through equipping people with the skills, knowledge, and tools to thrive with AI.

In many communities, the challenge is not a lack of talent or ambition, but limited access to skills, tools, and pathways into the digital economy. Microsoft Elevate aims to close that gap by expanding access to AI skills and digital capabilities so individuals and communities can participate more fully in economic and social life.

Caroline McGrath, Microsoft's AI Skills Director Asia, describes AI as a general-purpose technology with the potential to reshape economies. But realizing that potential depends on more than infrastructure alone. It requires shared frameworks, strong partnerships, and most importantly, broad access to skills.

"When people have the right skills, AI can open doors to new types of work, new forms of creativity, and new economic pathways that were previously out of reach."

Elevating people, unlocking opportunities

Across Thailand, Microsoft's Elevate program is working with partners in government, education and civil society to expand AI skills and promote responsible use, ensuring the technology benefits society broadly.

Dr. Ramrung Worawat, Director-General of the Department of Social Development and Welfare, said AI can help public agencies work more efficiently. "It reduces administrative burden and enables faster, more tailored services for citizens," she said.

Associate Professor Dr. Kamolrat Intaratat, Director, Center for Communication and Development Knowledge management, and Dr. Wimonkarn Kosumas, Executive Director, Kenan Asia Foundation, described AI as a "good helper" that can support research and analysis, and idea generation while freeing people to focus on higher-value work.

At the NGO level, AI plays a key role in raising work efficiency and strengthening support for those in need. Pattawee Pimayram, Communications Manager, Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand, said, "AI is a powerful tool that helps us make better decisions. It supports our data analysis and research, allowing us to go beyond health promotion to develop educational campaigns that build life skills, reach vulnerable communities, and raise awareness of rights issues among LGBTQ people."

Across these sectors, the pattern is consistent. Access to skills expands capacity, and expanded capacity creates opportunity.

Bridging generations, cultures, and opportunities

The rapid progress of the technology has raised questions about whether it might replace people. Experiences from many communities suggest the opposite: it can create new opportunities for people to reconnect across generations and cultures.

In Pathum Thani, members of the Mon community are using AI tools such as voice-to-text to help preserve their language and reinterpret traditional arts and crafts with modern elements.

"I never imagined how technology could help us preserve our culture and tradition. Now I know," said Sunee Sukprasertchai, a key person running the Pathumthani Mon Cultural Studies Center.

For people with disabilities, tools like text-to-speech make communication easier and help them participate more fully in education, work, and community life.

Meanwhile, in Non Din Daeng, young people sit down side by side with their grandparents, to share digital skills. Elders contribute knowledge, craftsmanship, and cultural memory. Together, they create products and livelihoods neither generation could achieve alone.

Technology expands opportunity when people lead

Digital transformation succeeds only when people remain at the center, echoed Ruhimat Soerakoesoemah, Head of Subregional office for South-East Asia, UNESCAP.

"With the right AI tools and skills, people can increase their impact and work more efficiently. People remain at the heart of progress. Technology can help, but it is people who drive change," Soerakoesoemah said at a Microsoft-hosted event focused on AI and social impact in Thailand.

Example from Non Din Daeeng and other communities showed that technology did not eliminate jobs or traditions. It connected creativity to markets, learning to livelihood, and generations to one another.

The tools may be powered by algorithms. The opportunity was unlocked through access.

In Thailand, Microsoft works in collaboration with the ESCAP, the Collaborative Center for Digital Development Knowledge Management (CCDKM) at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), and the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) to deliver practical AI skills through the AI for Social Impact program.

To date, more than 70,000 nonprofit leaders, workers, and beneficiaries have completed the learning and earned credentials that enable them to use technology more effectively, improve productivity, and drive positive social outcomes in an AI-enabled economy.

This work reflects the vision of Microsoft Elevate, which aims to expand the circle of opportunity by ensuring that access to AI skills, tools, and knowledge is not limited by geography, income, or background, but available to all ready to shape the future.