On March 31, 2025, Microsoft hosted the SMEs AI Skills Summit in Thailand, aiming to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly through the use of Microsoft 365 Copilot. This summit served as a platform for discussions led by prominent figures from both the public and private sectors, focusing on the successful application of AI in business operations.
With over 3.2 million SMEs in Thailand, representing 99.5% of the country's businesses, the summit highlighted the importance of AI in strengthening the economic foundation of Thailand in the digital age. The event was organized in collaboration with several key organizations, including the Digital Economy and Society Council of Thailand, the Federation of Thai Industries, and the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
Attendees gained valuable insights from leading business executives who shared their success stories in leveraging AI to enhance operations. For instance, TRIS Rating, Thailand’s leading credit rating agency, has integrated Microsoft 365 Copilot to generate accurate and relevant content for credit rating assessments, significantly reducing workload and improving communication efficiency. Similarly, K-Fresh, a top Thai coconut water exporter, utilizes Copilot as a personal consultant to navigate international trade regulations, manage oversupply challenges, optimize groundwater usage, and facilitate seamless multilingual communication within the company.
Participants also had the opportunity to learn essential AI skills from industry experts, including an introduction to Microsoft 365 Copilot, creating AI agents in Microsoft Copilot Studio, and understanding Microsoft Azure AI, a suite of AI solutions designed specifically for enterprises based on real-world insights from global customers.
Dhanawat Suthumpun, the Managing Director of Microsoft Thailand, emphasized the transformative potential of AI for SMEs, stating, "AI presents a significant growth opportunity and can unlock new opportunities for SMEs, not only domestically but also on a global scale. Today, organizational size is no longer the primary factor; instead, having a bold vision and a strategy for leveraging AI to create differentiation is crucial."
He further noted that Microsoft believes empowering everyone with AI skills is fundamental to enhancing efficiency and unlocking untapped business opportunities. To support AI learning and skills development, Microsoft offers free AI skills training courses in Thai, with a diverse range of training options available for everyone from general users to professional developers.
The AI Skills Navigator, a new online learning platform launched by Microsoft, aims to help develop AI skills for developers and SMEs in Thailand. This platform offers over 200 free AI courses in Thai, covering topics from beginner levels to advanced professional training.
Despite the potential benefits, many SMEs remain concerned about the costs, technology, and appropriate application of AI. Dhanawat highlighted that the perception of AI as a costly investment is changing, as the current era of Low Code enables businesses to access AI solutions more easily without significant financial outlay. SMEs can now experiment with AI and expand its usage effectively, similar to larger organizations.
Throughout the summit, discussions also focused on the challenges SMEs face in adopting AI technologies. Experts stressed the importance of safe, ethical, and responsible data usage in AI applications. The insights shared during the summit aimed to equip SMEs with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate these challenges successfully.
As SMEs play a crucial role in Thailand's economy, the emphasis on AI skills development is seen as a vital step towards ensuring their competitiveness in an increasingly digital world. By providing accessible training resources and fostering a culture of innovation, Microsoft is positioning itself as a key partner in the growth and transformation of Thailand's SME sector.
In summary, the SMEs AI Skills Summit not only showcased the capabilities of AI in enhancing business operations but also served as a call to action for SMEs to embrace these technologies. With the right tools and knowledge, SMEs can harness the power of AI to drive growth and achieve their goals more efficiently and effectively.
