Thailand’s artificial intelligence (AI) adoption remains at an early stage, constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, limited access to data and weak domestic technology development, positioning the country largely as a user rather than a developer, according to the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (NECTEC). Director Dr Chai Wutiwiwatchai outlined these challenges at the ‘AI for Public Sector: AI-Driven Government Services’ seminar, saying AI is crucial for strengthening Thailand’s economy and improving wellbeing. Since the first phase of the national AI strategy began in 2022, efforts have focused on fostering innovation. Citing an Oxford Insights index covering about 200 countries, Chai noted Thailand ranked around 60th in 2020, climbed to around 30th after the Cabinet endorsed the national AI plan, but ranked 34th in 2025 with limited further progress. “We are users, but rarely developers,” he said, adding that access to data remains restricted. Between 2020 and 2022, education received the largest share of AI research and development investment, followed by healthcare and agriculture. A survey of nearly 600 organisations, about 20 per cent public-sector and 80 per cent private companies, found fewer than 20 per cent had adopted AI at organisational level in 2024. Chai believes integration into workflows remains at an early stage in 2026. Introduced in 2022, the national AI plan covers 10 sectors, with finance and logistics