Microsoft, together with the Royal Thai Government and cross-sector partners, today announced the launch of Microsoft Elevate AI and Jobs for Thailand, making Thailand the first country among 19 nations to implement this national coalition model.
The initiative seeks to strengthen workforce development and hiring systems to support workers through economic transitions. By combining workforce intelligence, coalition-based partnerships, policy engagement, and AI skilling pathways, the coalition unites government, education, and industry leaders to pilot and scale hiring models tied directly to market demand. The program provides structured pathways from classroom to campus to career for students, new graduates, job seekers, and mid-career workers, while supporting the Royal Thai Government’s ambition to achieve OECD standards.
The announcement comes as AI continues to reshape the global labor market. LinkedIn estimates that 70% of skills used in most jobs will change by 2030, following the creation of 1.3 million high-skill AI jobs globally between 2023 and 2025. Employers are prioritizing these capabilities, with 66% of business leaders stating they would not hire candidates lacking AI literacy. In Thailand, job applications have increased by 13% according to JobsDB by SEEK, with AI-related skills appearing more frequently in job postings.
Despite growing demand, readiness gaps persist. Microsoft’s 2026 AI in Education research revealed that 77% of students have not received formal AI training from their institutions, while 66% of educators desire monthly or quarterly AI training. Microsoft Elevate AI and Jobs for Thailand aims to address these gaps, building on Microsoft’s existing skilling programs that have equipped over 2.7 million Thai citizens with digital and AI skills over the past two years.
Cross-Sector Coalition Partners
The national coalition brings together representatives across key sectors:
- Government, Education, and Skills Development: Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI); Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC); Department of Skill Development; Department of Employment; and Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa).
- Industry and Employers: Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), Digital Council of Thailand (DCT), and Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).
- Employment Platforms: JobsDB by SEEK.
- Civil Society and Nonprofits: Generation Thailand and Thai Fund Foundation.
Executive Leadership Statements
Prof.Dr.Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), said “Advancing Thailand toward OECD standards is not only about policies and regulations. It is also about the urgent need to prepare the Thai workforce for an AI-powered world, elevating our human capital and global competitiveness. This national collaboration represents an important step toward systems-level change. As part of this effort, MHESI is committed to transforming higher education and lifelong learning—leveraging our National Credit Bank system and university-industry networks to equip Thai talent with in-demand AI capabilities. By bridging the gap between classroom curricula and real industry needs, we are turning AI literacy into high-value employment and ensuring inclusive economic growth for Thailand.”
Prasert Chanthararuangthong, Minister of Education, said “ An AI-ready nation is defined by how prepared its people are to thrive with AI. As the starting point of Thailand’s AI-era workforce, the Ministry of Education is putting the government’s vision of ‘AI in All, All in AI, and AI for All’ into practice by building three foundations in every learner: the ability to think critically, to use AI effectively, and to use it wisely and safely. Microsoft Elevate AI and Jobs for Thailand builds on our existing partnership, moving from building skills to connecting those skills with real jobs. Our vocational colleges will be on the frontline, bringing AI curricula and skills credentials that reflect labour market demand into the classroom. Our teachers will lead the change, so that every learner, from urban centers to remote communities, has equal access to AI skills and is ready to work from day one.”
Kevin Frey, Vice President and Chief Impact Officer for Microsoft Elevate, said “The opportunity of AI is not just about access to technology. It is about equipping people with the skills and confidence to use AI effectively and responsibly, and giving them ways to put those skills into practice. At Microsoft, we are committed to supporting people on that journey, from classroom to campus to career. Through Microsoft Elevate AI and Jobs for Thailand, we are honored to work alongside the Royal Thai Government and partners across sectors to help connect learning with meaningful employment opportunities for people across Thailand.”
From AI skills to employment
The first phase of Microsoft Elevate AI and Jobs for Thailand is planned to run for approximately nine months, from October 2026 through June 2027, across four areas:
- Establishing the coalition and developing a Workforce Transformation Framework
- Developing AI learning and skills credentials aligned with the European Union’s DigComp 2.2 framework
- Creating opportunities to apply skills in practice, including hackathons
- Connecting learners with employment opportunities, informed by real-world labor market demand from FTI and JobsDB by SEEK to help align skills development with employers’ needs
Together, these efforts are designed to strengthen the institutions and systems people rely on to learn, work and adapt as jobs evolve, helping more people in Thailand build practical AI capabilities and turn those skills into real-world opportunity. Additionally, Thailand is the first among 19 countries to implement the Microsoft Elevate AI and Jobs national coalition model.
Salary Hero raises $7.6M Series A to expand financial health platform to Malaysia
SCBX & SCB with Dr.Ma Jun to drive Asian green finance hub
CP Group, Arise, True and Amazon join forces on Thailand AI push
