“A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI”, the 2025

Global Human Development Report

On June 16, 2025, the HDFF team participated in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) event titled “The Launch of the 2025 Global Human Development Report” at the Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai. The launch brought together experts to discuss how artificial intelligence can be harnessed for sustainable and inclusive development, framing AI as a matter of human choice rather than technological inevitability. Hosted by UNDP in collaboration with the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO), the event emphasized that AI must be shaped by policies, values, and cooperation to benefit all members of society

Welcoming and Opening Remarks

• Dr. Surachai Sathitkunarat, President of the Office of the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO)
• Niamh Collier-Smith, Resident Representative, UNDP Thailand

Dr. Surachai Sathikunarat opened the forum by emphasizing that effective AI development must extend beyond economic metrics to prioritize community development and sufficiency. He stressed the necessity of multi-stakeholder collaboration to create advanced AI systems that serve societal needs. Niamh Collier-Smith of UNDP reinforced this vision through the organization’s three core pillars: sustainable development, democratic governance, and climate resilience. Highlighting persistent education gaps, she noted AI’s potential to reduce inequalities by 50% while urging Thailand to transition from being an AI consumer to becoming a creator and innovator.

Thailand’s AI Challenges and Strategy

Keynote Speech:

• Suchada Zhang Thaensap, Secretary to Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI)

Khun Suchada Zhang Thaensap, Secretary to Thailand’s Minister of Higher Education, delivered a keynote address titled “AI is Not a Matter of Fate; It is a Matter of Choice.” She outlined six critical challenges facing Thailand’s AI adoption: limited local capabilities, regulatory delays, high adoption costs, geopolitical complexities, financial barriers, and workforce displacement fears.

In response, Thailand has developed a comprehensive National AI Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2027) focusing on five key areas: ethics and legal frameworks, sustainable infrastructure, human capacity building, technological innovation, and cross-sector adoption. A standout initiative is the Higher Education Sandbox, which features innovative programs like the accelerated Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering and Digital Technology. Early results show promise, with 85% of graduates securing employment quickly, demonstrating the effectiveness of these industry-aligned programs.

Harnessing AI to Tackle Growth Challenges in an Era of Turbulence

Speakers:

• Dr. Philip Schellekens, Chief Economist, UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific
• Dr. Shahid Yusuf, Chief Economist of The Growth Dialogue, George Washington University

Dr. Philip Schellekens presented sobering data showing global human development progress is stagnating. While Thailand has achieved a 37% increase in HDI since 1990, maintaining momentum requires enhanced educational opportunities and economic growth. Surveys reveal global optimism about AI’s potential in education and healthcare, but also highlight generational divides, with older populations feeling decreasing control as AI becomes more prevalent.

Dr. Shahid Yusuf complemented this with sector-specific analysis, demonstrating how Large Language Models (LLMs) are transforming various industries. In education, AI tutors now solve advanced math problems; in research, they accelerate hypothesis generation; in law, they enhance productivity; and in medicine, they improve diagnostic accuracy. However, he cautioned that macroeconomic benefits often lag behind technological implementation, requiring patience during transition periods.

Thailand Human Development Indicators 2025: Insights and Implications of AI 

Speakers:

Dr. Dadanee Vuthipadadorn, Senior Development Economist, UNDP Thailand

Nuttapon Rathie, Head of Experimentation – Accelerator Lab, UNDP Thailand

Dr. Dadanee Vuthipadadorn and Khun Nuttapon Rathie presented Thailand’s current position, ranking 76th in HDI (High Development category). While the country performs well on social equality measures, challenges remain in technological sovereignty and inclusive design. Key findings included:

• Cultural mismatches in AI systems trained primarily on Western data
• A significant digital divide, with 76% of Thais aged 76+ lacking internet access
• A gender paradox where women score higher on HDI but remain underrepresented in AI creation

These insights underscore the need for locally adapted AI solutions that respect Thailand’s cultural context while addressing accessibility gaps.

Panel Discussion: Thailand’s Choices: Making Artificial Intelligence Work for Human-Centered Sustainable Development

Speakers:

• Prof. Dr. Surin Khomfoi, Vice President of the Office of the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO)
•  Dr. Pat Pataranutaporn, Co-director of MIT Media Lab’s Advancing Humans with AI Research Program (AHA)
• Dr. Piyalitt Ittichaiwong, Medical AI Scientist, SIData+, Siriraj Hospital and PreceptorAI powered by CARIVA Co-founders
• Thitiphorn Prawatsrichai, Head of Community Learning and Skill Development, Vulcan Coalition 

The panel discussion featured diverse perspectives on implementing AI for sustainable development:

Prof.Dr. Surin Khomfoi proposed transforming education through AI-powered admissions, dynamic curriculum accreditation, and enhanced career guidance systems. He emphasized viewing education as an investment rather than an expectation.

Dr. Pat Pataranutaporn reframed the human-AI relationship, advocating for systems designed to foster critical thinking and self-understanding. “We should ask not what AI does, but what AI does to us,” he noted, stressing the importance of maintaining human agency.

Dr. Piyalitt Ittichaiwong showcased Thailand’s GinDee AI model in healthcare, demonstrating how AI can assist doctors with transcription and diagnostics while warning against over-reliance that might erode clinical skills.

Thitiphorn Prawatsrichai highlighted disability inclusion challenges, noting that while Thailand enables BA-level education for many disabled persons, those with severe mobility impairments remain excluded. She advocated for AI-powered assistive technologies designed through universal design principles.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The forum concluded with a clear call to action from Khun Ram-indra of UNDP Thailand, who emphasized that “the boundary between human and machine is blurring.” Three critical pathways emerged:

1.  Building a complementarity economy where AI augments rather than replaces human capabilities

2.  Developing proactive governance frameworks to ensure ethical implementation

3.  Fostering innovation that respects local contexts and human dignity

With 60% of people worldwide believing AI will create new job opportunities, Thailand stands at a pivotal moment. The choices made today, whether in policy, education, or industry, will determine if AI becomes an equalizer or amplifier of inequality. By focusing on human values and local context, Thailand can shape an AI future that enhances rather than diminishes human potential, serving as a model for middle-income nations worldwide.