Bangkok: Ekanit reveals that the World Economic Forum (WEF) is actively addressing AI and geopolitical challenges.
According to Thai News Agency, the World Economic Forum 2026 was heated with discussions on the adaptation of major powers, marking a crucial step for Thailand, both the public and private sectors, in preparing for the transition to the AI era.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Ekniti Nitithanpraphas, stated that his participation in the World Economic Forum 2026, as the leader of Team Thailand, aims to bring Thailand into the global spotlight and help Thai businesses survive during this period of unstable global geopolitical challenges.
In today's modern business environment, entrepreneurs and SMEs can no longer focus solely on cash flow or traditional financial management. They must incorporate geopolitics into their organizational strategies for survival, as the volatility of global power dynamics, particularly those of the United States, is having a profound impact on global markets and is acting as a catalyst for major changes.
Thai entrepreneurs who have previously relied on a single major market need to urgently diversify their risks and seek opportunities in new markets, especially in the increasingly strong ASEAN region. They also need to leverage free trade agreements (FTAs), such as those between Thailand and the European Union (EU), to create diverse options and mitigate the impact of unpredictable policy volatility from major powers amidst geopolitical crises. A key to helping SMEs overcome obstacles is the urgent adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in their businesses.
Dr. Ekniti further added that AI is not a distant concept, but a tool that significantly improves production efficiency and lowers costs. Entrepreneurs must shift from traditional business practices to "arming" themselves with technology to create agility and adapt quickly to a world that changes every second. Leveraging AI will help SMEs analyze data, find new markets, and build a competitive advantage in a world where traditional cost structures are no longer viable on the global stage. From the perspective of foreign investors towards Thailand, amidst the trade war and US-China conflict, Thailand's neutrality has become its most powerful strength. The best evidence reflecting investor confidence in Thailand's neutrality is the 93% surge in investment promotion applications to the Board of Investment (BOI) over the past year.
This phenomenon is not solely due to tax benefits, but because Thailand has proven itself to be a true safe haven for strategic industries, especially in the smart electronics and printed circuit board (PCB) sectors, which are key to modern technology. The government therefore seeks to attract foreign investment to upgrade these modern industries.