Empowering Thailand’s Future Workforce with AI and Green Skills

Kenan Foundation Asia (Kenan), in collaboration with key public and private sector partners, recently hosted the conference “Building AI and Green Skills for a Sustainable Workforce”. This one-of-a-kind event brought together influential stakeholders from industries, academia, and government to tackle the pressing challenge of integrating AI and green skills into Thailand’s education and workforce development programs. The ultimate goal? To drive sustainable growth and ensure that Thailand remains competitive on the global stage.

Thailand’s Vision 2030: A Game Plan for Regional Leadership

At the heart of Thailand’s ambitious Vision 2030 initiative, aptly named “Ignite Thailand”, lies a commitment to becoming a regional leader in industries like the digital economy, future mobility, and agriculture. The plan will leverage the country’s unique advantages—its abundant natural resources, hospitality-driven tourism, favourable climate, and, most importantly, the incredible potential of its people.

But realising this vision requires a high-performing workforce equipped with cutting-edge skills in AI and sustainable practices. Thai businesses are already adopting advanced AI technologies while greener business operations are gaining traction worldwide. A modern workforce needs to possess the necessary tools to capitalise on these trends, pave the way for innovation, and secure the country a place at the forefront of future-ready industries.

Why AI and Green Skills Are Key

Graduates with expertise in AI and green skills are uniquely placed to shape a more sustainable, economically resilient future. These skills not only increase employability but also foster entrepreneurship and community engagement, helping young people transition seamlessly into the workforce while driving innovation.

Kenan Foundation Asia is stepping up to address this skills gap. By teaming up with government bodies, global experts, businesses, and educational institutions, Kenan aims to equip Thai youth with the tools they need to thrive. The recent conference showcased efforts to achieve this vision, featuring insights and success stories from both local and international experts.

Highlights from the Conference

• Opening Remarks by H.E. Mr. Robert F. Godec

The U.S. Ambassador to Thailand shared his thoughts on accelerating workforce development through collaborations between public and private sectors.

• Keynote by Prof. Sirirurg Songsivilai, PhD, MD

The Chairman of Thailand Science Research and Innovation highlighted how integrating AI and green competencies into STEM education can empower the future workforce.

• Best Practices & Panel Discussions

Participants explored examples of successful AI and green skill integration, fostering collaboration between government, businesses, and civil society to inspire innovative solutions for youth employability and economic growth.

A Call to Innovate and Collaborate

Khunying Jada Wattanasiritham, Chairperson of Kenan Foundation Asia, emphasised the importance of collaboration for Thailand’s future, stating, “This conference serves as a platform for bringing together key stakeholders to foster innovation and build a more sustainable future. By addressing youth skill gaps in AI, green technologies, and STEM, we aim to prepare young people for the rapidly evolving demands of tomorrow’s workforce.”

Mekong Green Skills Accelerator

Kenan’s pivotal new initiative, the Mekong Green Skills Accelerator, was launched to further this mission. Spearheaded by Ms. Allison Morris, Director of Partnerships at Kenan Foundation Asia, this programme will train 150,000 students in green sectors, such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and electric vehicles, by 2030.

The initiative focuses on technical and soft skills that will prepare students to meet the rising employment demands of green industries. Supported by partners such as the Rochester Institute of Technology and Schneider Foundation, Kenan is calling for additional funding and technical support from global collaborators to achieve this bold vision.

A Strong Legacy of Empowerment

Over the past 28 years, Kenan Foundation Asia has empowered individuals by training over 19,000 educators and 3 million students. According to Executive Director Richard Bernhard, “Kenan’s success stems from combining local expertise with international insights to create training programmes tailored to national and community-specific needs. By fostering collaborations between the public and private sectors and academia, we can drive inclusive economic growth that benefits everyone.”