The smartphone in your pocket took three decades to evolve into a mass-market device. ChatGPT reached 100 million users in just two months. The internet changed the world, and AI will do the same, even broader, faster, and more transformative than anything we’ve seen before. This acceleration is driven by a powerful combination of three forces: 5G connectivity, which enables real-time digital experiences; the massive volume of data being generated every time we use our phones; and the AI models built on top of that data.
At the Bangkok Post Forum 2025, under the theme “Shaping the Future Economy in the New Global Order”, Sigve Brekke, Group CEO of True Corporation, delivered a compelling vision for Thailand’s digital future. His keynote, “Connecting Thailand’s Future: Digital Foundations for Growth”, outlined the urgent need for accelerated action as the country navigates an era of exponential technological change.
Four Building Blocks Nation a Needs to Win the Global Race
While digital access is now universal, social media continues to fuel polarization by filtering content to match individual views. Business models are being rapidly disrupted, and the high-performing companies of today may not survive the next decade.
“The global competition between the U.S. and China is no longer only about trade; it’s about who will lead the world in technology. At the same time, AI and connected technologies are raising the stakes, as cyberattacks now have the potential to take down entire nations. The question is, Are we ready for it?”, said Brekke.
Sigve Brekke outlined four strategic priorities to strengthen Thailand’s digital competitiveness.
- Technology and Infrastructure: Build on strong foundations in fiber,5G and data center. With solid coverage and infrastructure already in place, this is a key competitive advantage to be maximized.
- High-Quality Data: Data must be structured, integrated, and usable across sectors to unlock productivity. With unified data, businesses and governments can better serve citizens, optimize logistics, and much more. Boosting productivity starts with getting data right.
- Talent & Leadership: AI literacy should start early, it should be part of the curriculum as early as middle school, not just in high school or university. At the same time, upskilling the workforce is critical. At True Corporation, 55% of employees have already passed basic AI training with a goal of reaching 100%.
For all businesses and nations, transformational leadership is essential, defined by the 3 A’s:
- Act Bold – Take action even in times of uncertainty and foster a culture of experimentation.
- Be Adaptive – Stay curious and be willing to try.
- Align as One – Build emotional connections by earning trust, embracing diversity, and uniting teams with a shared purpose.
- Government Policy: Every country needs a national AI policy and urgent action to establish trusted, sovereign frameworks, including privacy regulations, and Thailand is still early in this journey. To accelerate innovation, the government must also support startups through clear policy direction, tax incentives, and targeted programs that enable Thai startups to scale and compete globally.
“Data, AI, and infrastructure come down to one thing ‘Trust’. People are waking up to how their data is used and often misused. In the machine world, it’s easy to discriminate. That’s why human oversight is critical. At True, we ensure that AI understands Thai culture, including values like politeness and respect,” concluded Brekke.
