True and Google Launch Credit-Bearing AI Programs Across Thai Universities to Address Labor Shortage

Brickinfo News Agency – True Corporation has partnered with Google and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) to launch the “AI for All Thais” initiative, a nationwide project aimed at integrating artificial intelligence into the Thai higher education system. The program introduces the first-ever credit-bearing AI course, titled “AI for Future Workforce,” which allows university students to earn official academic credits through 45 hours of specialized training. This move seeks to address a critical talent gap in Thailand, which currently faces a shortage of approximately 80,000 AI professionals, while providing students with free data access to ensure digital inclusivity.

The initiative is divided into two primary phases designed to move beyond basic awareness into practical implementation. The first phase, AI First Citizen, focuses on foundational knowledge, including AI Safety, Digital Literacy, and Prompt Engineering through Google’s Gemini Academy. To support this, True and dtac are providing 10GB of free data for students to access online materials. The second phase involves the formal integration of the 45-hour curriculum into the academic programs of over 20 leading Thai universities, supported by a “Train-the-Trainer” program for faculty members to ensure long-term educational sustainability.

Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Minister of MHESI, emphasized that developing an AI-ready workforce is now a national priority. “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,” he stated. He further noted that the ministry aims to create a comprehensive pathway from foundational learning to cultivating highly skilled specialists to meet the demands of the current labor market.

Sigve Brekke, Group CEO of True Corporation Plc., highlighted that the primary barrier to AI adoption is a lack of skills rather than technology itself. “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,” Brekke said. He added that the company aims to empower 12 million people by 2030, starting with internal employee training before scaling the effort to the national level through this partnership.

Google’s participation involves providing global expertise and curricula through the Gemini Academy. Saranee Boonritthongchai, Marketing Director for Google in Southeast Asia, noted that the collaboration aims to bridge the digital skills gap and prepare students for an AI-driven economy. The program also includes national competitions where winning students will be awarded a study visit to Google’s regional headquarters in Singapore, incentivizing real-world application of AI tools like generative AI for productivity and creativity.

This multi-sector collaboration is further supported by the CP Center of Excellence (CP-CoE) at True Digital Park, acting as a hub for data infrastructure and innovation. By combining private sector infrastructure, global technology leadership, and government policy support, the initiative aims to strengthen Thailand’s long-term competitiveness in the global digital landscape.