ส.อ.ท. จับมือ CBS–กสิกร–บพค. ยกระดับ SMEs ไทยสู่ SMART SMEs ด้วย Digital & AIFTI Partners with CBS, Kasikorn, and BPK to Elevate Thai SMEs to SMART SMEs through Digital & AI

On Friday, September 19, 2025, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) in collaboration with Chulalongkorn Business School (CBS) and Kasikorn Bank organized the launch event for the SMART SMEs GO Digital & AI project, fostering innovation and competition at the Auditorium on the 3rd floor of the C asean Building, ThaiBev Quarter, Rama 4, Bangkok.

This project is supported by funding from the Office of Human Capital and Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (BPK). It aims to create essential mechanisms to drive Thai SMEs to overcome obstacles, adapt to changes, and grow into SMART SMEs that possess competitive potential and are key contributors to the sustainable Thai economy through the following core concepts:
• Quick Thinking – Providing easily accessible tools to serve as advisors and collaborators.
• Feasibility – Showcasing successful use cases that can be practically implemented.
• Competitive Readiness – Enhancing the digital skills of SMEs to fully leverage digital tools.

This project also includes the design of a curriculum for using Generative AI for SMEs, based on learning from real-world challenges, coupled with user-friendly, immediately applicable tools.

The event featured a special lecture by Mr. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), on the topic “Transforming Thai SMEs into Smart Industries.” He emphasized that this transition is critically important and poses risks that should not be overlooked. If Thai SMEs do not accelerate their adaptation, they may fall out of the global supply chain, especially in key industries such as electric vehicles, electronics, and the Green Supply Chain. Digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are important tools that can create business opportunities and will become the main driving force of competition in the future. Therefore, FTI invites SMEs to earnestly begin their transition to digital and AI to create a sustainable future and elevate Thailand to become a center of modern production in every region.

Dr. Wiboon Raksasatjarernporn, Chairman of the Working Group for Promoting Major Targets under the Science, Research, and Innovation Strategy from the Office of Human Capital and Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (BPK), also delivered a special lecture on “Government Support for Smart SMEs Transformation.” He stated, “Government policy aims to support SMEs’ transition to digital systems to enhance their capabilities and increase competitiveness both domestically and internationally. Support measures cover various aspects, including providing funding sources, training programs for skill and capacity development, and promoting cooperation between different sectors. We are confident that the shift of SMEs into the digital era will be a crucial foundation for strengthening the Thai economy by improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and creating market expansion opportunities at home and abroad.”

Additionally, a discussion titled “Smart SMEs Go Digital & AI” was held to provide information to participants. Mr. Apichit Prasoprat, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and Chairman of the Small and Medium Enterprises Institute for Manufacturing (SMI), remarked, “As the initiator and chairman of the project, I recognize the urgent need to elevate Thai SMEs to cope with the rapidly changing business landscape. This project is designed to help operators understand and fully utilize the potential of Generative AI, serving as both a collaborator and consultant to enhance work efficiency, reduce redundant tasks, and lead to innovations. The target group of this project includes executives in establishments seeking to develop organizational potential through Gen AI. The project includes five key activities: (1) Raising awareness and stimulating participation to help operators understand the opportunities and benefits of using Gen AI in business; (2) A two-day Bootcamp training covering 5 levels of learning from basic Gen AI usage to integration with actual work systems; (3) Group Pitching activities to practice analytical thinking and designing AI solutions suitable for their business; (4) In-depth online mentoring to address specific issues and increase accuracy in usage; and (5) Lessons learned and dissemination of case studies to extend results and create models for using Gen AI in the industry.

We expect that participating operators will gain Gen AI skills that can be immediately applied, be able to analyze problems systematically, and create tested AI usage models in the industry, ensuring real-time application and reducing risks in technology investments.

Ultimately, this project aims to simplify the complexity of business through the power of creative AI, which not only reduces costs and increases profits but also builds a network of SMEs that are ready to think quickly, act decisively, and compete effectively, making them a vital force in driving the Thai economy to grow robustly and sustainably.

Moreover, Associate Professor Dr. Danupol Hunsopon, Assistant to the President of Chulalongkorn University and Director of the Service Center for Academic and Training of Chulalongkorn Business School, added that in terms of education, the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy at Chulalongkorn University prioritizes preparing personnel and organizations to keep pace with the digital world. The SMART SMEs GO Digital & AI project serves as a "bridge connecting academic insights from theory to practice" that will help SMEs access up-to-date and practical courses and content. It is anticipated that participants will acquire both the necessary skills and mindset to leverage digital and AI in business decision-making, management, and innovation, which will enhance the value of their businesses and elevate their competitiveness both nationally and regionally through tangible use cases. Furthermore, it represents a significant opportunity to collaboratively develop learning approaches that genuinely meet the demands of SMEs in the future.

Mr. Pipawat Phattanavik, Deputy Managing Director of Kasikorn Bank, stated that as a financial institution closely working with SMEs, Kasikorn Bank is well aware that digital and AI are "key driving forces to transform business" and are crucial determinants for organizations' survival and growth. Therefore, this project will help SMEs unlock the potential of technology to achieve exponential growth by effectively applying digital and AI to enhance operational efficiency, reach new customers accurately, and manage resources intelligently, leading to increased revenues and reduced costs in the long term. Kasikorn Bank is fully committed to supporting SMEs in all areas, including knowledge resources, digital platforms, and essential funding sources, to help entrepreneurs invest in digital technologies and grow sustainably together.

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Published by
Corporate Communications Department, Federation of Thai Industries 
Tel. 02-3451051