Generative artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, advanced cloud services, technologies that empower sustainability, and the future workforce are all expected to accelerate Thailand's digital transformation next year.
Tech industry gurus said these trends should push forward the AI transformation era and bolster the nation's competitiveness.
Regardless of the economic situation and geopolitical challenges, businesses need to continue digital transformation in order to lower costs and increase productivity as well as prepare for threats, said Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, president of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency.
Digital transformation has evolved over the past seven years from automation, 5G, Big Data and AI, the Internet of Things, digital assets and blockchain tech, Web3, security and privacy to the 'digital connected world' that creates new supply chains and causes massive disruption.
"Businesses no longer compete domestically, the new supply chain must compete in the global market," said Mr Nuttapon.
"In 2024, we will see more disruption from AI with the emergence of generative AI," he added.
Thailand has a national AI strategy but lacks measures to support foreign AI operators and drive the growth of local AI service providers.
"We also need to have a national strategy for synthetic AI and generative AI," said Mr Nuttapon.
AI transformation
Sunti Methavikul, managing director of United Information Highway (UIH), said digital transformation in 2024 will intensify, forcing businesses to adapt swiftly, particularly to generative AI.
"We will shift from digital transformation that might soon be outdated and move towards AI transformation," said Mr Sunti.
Strategies to stay competiveness include changing the mindset to be open to change and adaptability; embracing the rapid change offered by AI; and designing and implementing a digital workspace for enhanced operational efficiency.
Businesses should develop the future workforce over the next 1-3 years to ensure readiness for change, while having experts oversee overall security to prevent data breaches.
In addition, they should promote sustainable technology to achieve net-zero goals by 2050.
As an official partner of Google Cloud, UIH has elevated its service capabilities, particularly generative AI, by using Duet AI and Vertex AI that enable business collaboration and support generative AI at the enterprise level.
Chaiyuth Chunnahacha, chief executive of G-Able, said AI will play an important role over the next 3-5 years as it helps to reduce costs by 5-10%.
He said organisations must use technolgy as a game changer with a clear digital roadmap that includes AI.
Organisations also need executives in charge of technology and employees and they must embrace the culture of change.
Businesses must use technologies that are smart, secure and sustainable. These include cloud operating systems, Big Data analytics for large-scale data analysis, social listening systems for market development that cater to customers' needs, cybersecurity to safeguard crucial organisational data and the integration of generative AI.
"After the pandemic, business organisations in Thailand are more keen to invest in digital technology as it has become crucial to stay competive," said Peerayaphan Pongsanam, senior manager of Impact Exhibition Management, the organiser of DigiTech Asean Thailand 2023, which will be held from Nov 22-24 at the Impact Exhibition and Convention Centre.
This year the event features more than 300 digital technology service providers, including those from China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the US as well as local companies who will showcase their latest innovations.