In a move that signals a paradigm shift for Thailand’s digital landscape, True Corporation Plc. has joined forces with Google and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) to launch the “AI for All Thais” initiative. Announced in Bangkok on May 5, 2026, this nationwide program serves as the country’s first comprehensive effort to democratize access to artificial intelligence education and accelerate the development of local talent toward global excellence. By equipping the population with future-ready digital capabilities, the collaboration aims to ensure that no citizen is left behind in the rapidly evolving technological era.
The initiative represents a holistic integration of globally aligned AI learning into the Thai university education system, featuring foundational courses under the Gemini Academy and specialized credit-bearing modules. To lower the barriers to entry, True is offering free 10GB data packages specifically for students on the True and dtac networks, ensuring that high-quality online learning remains accessible regardless of financial status. This strategic push is designed not only to build awareness but to foster real-world implementation through academic credits that officially count toward graduation.
At its heart, “AI for All Thais” is a multi-sector synergy that combines the infrastructure of True, the technological leadership of Google, and the policy-driven support of MHESI. By involving more than 20 leading universities in its pilot phase, the program creates a robust ecosystem where academic theory meets industrial application. This collaborative framework is essential for building a sustainable digital economy and strengthening Thailand’s long-term competitiveness on the international stage.
A National Agenda to Solve the AI Talent Gap
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by Thailand’s current shortage of approximately 80,000 AI professionals, a gap that threatens to stifle domestic innovation and organizational growth. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has identified AI workforce development not as a mere luxury, but as a critical national agenda that requires immediate acceleration. By turning this challenge into an opportunity, the ministry aims to elevate the entire learning ecosystem and prepare Thai people to compete with confidence globally.
Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of MHESI, emphasizes that the goal is to create a comprehensive learning pathway that spans from basic foundations to highly skilled specialization. This involves a concrete integration of AI into educational curricula to address the immediate needs of the labor market while laying a foundation for an innovation-driven economy. The ministry provides the necessary policy direction and support to ensure these programs are systematically adopted across higher education institutions nationwide.
“In an era where technology is rapidly transforming the world, AI workforce development is no longer merely an option, but a ‘national agenda’ that we must accelerate. MHESI is committed to serving as a key driving force in turning this challenge into an opportunity. We are ready to fully support and advance this initiative to equip Thais with future-ready digital skills, elevate the learning ecosystem, and prepare our people to compete on the global stage with strength and confidence.” — Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI).
Pioneering Credit-Bearing AI Integration in Universities
One of the most significant components of the initiative is the “AI for Future Workforce” program, a specially designed 45-hour curriculum co-developed by True and Google. Unlike traditional extracurricular workshops, this course is officially integrated into university curricula and can be counted toward academic credits. This shift from awareness-building to academic implementation ensures that students gain practical AI knowledge that is recognized by the formal education system.
The program is being piloted with a select group of more than 20 leading universities before a planned nationwide expansion. To ensure the quality of instruction, the initiative includes a “Train-the-Trainer” program designed to equip university instructors with the latest AI pedagogies and technical skills. This systematic approach ensures that the learning content remains globally aligned while being practically applicable to the Thai context.
Furthermore, the integration of AI education is supported by True’s extensive digital infrastructure and nationwide ecosystem, which facilitates seamless connection between students and platforms. By offering foundational AI learning through both offline and online formats under the Gemini Academy, the initiative caters to diverse learning needs across the country. This duality of academic credit and practical accessibility is what sets “AI for All Thais” apart as a transformative force in the education sector.
True’s Ambition to Become an AI-First Organization
True Corporation Plc. is positioning itself at the forefront of this digital revolution with a clear ambition to become an “AI-First” organization. Sigve Brekke, the Group CEO, identifies the lack of specialized skills as the primary barrier to AI adoption across global industries. To address this, True has set a target to empower 12 million people by 2030, making AI technology relevant, accessible, and affordable for all Thais under the principles of responsible AI.
The journey toward an AI-driven future begins within True’s own workforce, with a commitment that every employee will build a strong foundation in AI this year. From daily operational tasks to the creation of innovative, AI-driven business solutions, the company is embedding these technologies at every level of its organization. By scaling these internal efforts through partnerships with Google, True aims to empower the broader Thai workforce to navigate a landscape reshaped by technological change.
“Across industries worldwide, global firms consistently agree that the biggest barrier to AI adoption is not technology, but the lack of skills, limiting AI’s full potential. True is moving toward becoming an AI-First organization, with the ambition to build ‘AI for All’, making AI relevant, accessible, and affordable for all Thais, while embedding the principles of responsible AI, with a target to empower 12 million people by 2030.” — Sigve Brekke, Group CEO of True Corporation Plc.
Google’s Global Expertise and the “Leave No Thai Behind” Pledge
Google’s participation in this initiative is a continuation of its 2018 “Leave No Thai Behind” pledge, which focuses on ensuring that all citizens can thrive in the digital age. By bringing global AI expertise directly into Thai classrooms, Google is helping to bridge the digital skills gap and prepare the next generation for an AI-driven economy. The focus remains on empowering students to use generative AI safely while simultaneously enhancing their creativity and productivity through advanced tools like Gemini.
The partnership leverages Google’s specialized curricula, including the Gemini Academy for Students and AI Literacy & Safety Modules. These programs are designed to provide students with the foundational skills needed to navigate the complexities of AI, such as prompt engineering and digital ethics. By providing these resources, Google ensures that Thai students are not just consumers of technology, but informed and safe participants in the global digital ecosystem.
“In 2018, Google made a bold pledge to ‘Leave No Thai Behind’, a commitment that continues to shape our initiatives and ensure Thais can thrive in the digital age. Today, we are taking a significant step forward in that mission through our collaboration with True. By bringing Google’s global AI expertise directly into Thai classrooms, we are bridging the digital skills gap and preparing students for an AI-driven economy.” — Saranee Boonritthongchai, Marketing Director, Consumer Products, Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier, Google.
Implementation Phases and International Exposure
The “AI for All Thais” initiative is structured into two distinct phases to ensure a comprehensive learning journey for participants. Phase I, titled “AI First Citizen,” focuses on foundational knowledge, including AI safety, digital literacy, and the fundamentals of prompt engineering. This phase encourages students to apply their knowledge through challenge activities and competitions themed around “AI for Daily Life” and “AI for Society,” with the top winners earning a study visit to Google’s regional headquarters in Singapore.
Phase II introduces the more rigorous “AI for Future Workforce” course, which deepens artificial intelligence literacy specifically for the professional world. This 45-hour program involves university-level competitions and national contests to showcase the talent of Thai students. Participants who excel in these competitions gain significant international exposure, with four winning teams also receiving the opportunity to visit Google in Singapore for further learning.
Beyond individual student development, the initiative is a component of a larger effort by the Charoen Pokphand Group to advance Thailand’s AI infrastructure. The CP Center of Excellence (CP-CoE) at True Digital Park serves as a hub for this growth, connecting the business, technology, and education sectors. By developing AI knowledge and talent holistically, the CP-CoE aims to accelerate Thailand’s long-term capabilities and ensure a sustainable, AI-driven future for the nation.
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