Bangkok, August 29 - The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance took place in Shanghai, China from July 17 to 20, 2026, with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in attendance. As artificial intelligence rapidly integrates into manufacturing, energy, logistics, and urban governance, concerns over technological barriers, governance disagreements, and the digital intelligence divide have intensified. In a recent interview, Thai-Chinese Business Council Chairman Vikrom Kromadit shared insights on the cultural foundations and practical pathways for global AI collaboration, as well as how to engage more nations and communities in AI development.
On the conference's core message and the importance of international cooperation
Kromadit emphasized that the conference delivered a crucial message: artificial intelligence should not remain an exclusive advantage for a select group of nations. The opportunities and benefits it creates ought to be shared collectively. AI is a technology that transcends borders and affects all of humanity. If countries maintain openness and strengthen technical exchanges and capacity building, the value created can reach more people. However, if barriers are deliberately erected to turn AI into a tool for technological monopoly and competitive advantage, it risks widening development gaps and creating new inequalities. Concurrently, AI-related risks do not remain confined within any single nation. Safety standards, data governance, ethical norms, and responsibility frameworks all demand enhanced communication and consensus-building. Only through open and inclusive cooperation mechanisms can the shared challenges be effectively addressed while driving innovation. True global collaboration requires not only sharing technological outcomes but also enabling more nations to participate in development and rule-making, contributing their own experiences and wisdom.
On the "win-win" philosophy and its alignment with the conference's vision
Kromadit explained that "win-win" was not a concept learned from books but rather derived from personal life and business experience. He referenced the Chinese principle of valuing harmony, clarifying that harmony does not imply the absence of differences or unilateral concessions, but rather finding sustainable ways for divergent interests to coexist and thrive. Individual success depends on the support of others, just as corporate growth relies on customers, employees, partners, and the broader community. In his view, if a company fails to create value for its customers, long-term trust cannot be secured; if supplier and employee interests are excessively squeezed, cooperation becomes unsustainable; and if land and resources are utilized without contributing to community development or environmental protection, enduring societal support is unattainable. In Eastern culture, people, society, and nature are not seen as separate entities. Therefore, "win-win" is not about distributing surplus after success, but about incorporating all stakeholders' interests and long-term development from the outset. Lasting accomplishment means advancing oneself while enabling others to move forward alongside. This aligns closely with the conference's advocacy for openness, mutual benefit, people-centeredness, and positive progress. AI is not merely a technical issue; it also concerns whether different nations and groups can participate in development and share opportunities.
On applying "win-win" thinking to balance innovation with social considerations
When applying the "win-win" mindset to AI development, Kromadit stressed that economic value must be weighed against impacts on employment, social equity, cultural diversity, and ecological sustainability. Employment remains a primary public concern. While AI replaces certain roles, it also generates new job opportunities and upgrades existing positions. At Amata园区 facilities, numerous manufacturers have adopted AI, automation, and digital technologies to transform production processes, retrain staff, and enhance productivity and competitiveness. On a broader scale, social equity, cultural diversity, and environmental concerns all converge on one question: who participates, who benefits, and who bears the costs of technological advancement. AI development and governance should enable more nations and groups to participate and share in the outcomes.
On collaborative governance among governments, businesses, and international organizations
Kromadit observed that although AI appears to be a digital technology, it relies heavily on real-world infrastructure. Computing power requires stable electricity and networks, while applications demand capital, talent, and robust public services. Thus, the digital intelligence divide encompasses not only gaps in algorithms and advanced technology but also disparities in energy, infrastructure, education, and application capacity. Even if a country can access advanced AI models, lacking these fundamentals prevents effective translation of technology into development momentum. To address this, governments, businesses, and international organizations must each fulfill distinct responsibilities. Governments should provide clear, stable regulations, define safety baselines, and invest in digital infrastructure and education. Businesses should drive innovation while protecting data security, respecting individual rights, and enhancing transparency in application and risk management. International organizations should facilitate dialogue, establish fundamental governance principles and compatible technical standards, while respecting nations' different development stages and realities. Striking a balance among innovation, safety, and inclusivity requires classified, risk-based governance. Effective governance should align regulatory intensity with risk levels, leaving room for innovation while containing risks, and enabling countries at varying development phases to participate and benefit.
On potential China-Thailand cooperation and implications for the Global South
Kromadit praised China's remarkable technological and industrial progress in recent years. For Thailand, the priority lies in converting these achievements into industrial upgrading and social advancement through practical collaboration. Numerous Chinese enterprises have invested in Thailand, bringing not just capital and projects but also technology, management expertise, and supply chain resources. This suggests that bilateral AI cooperation should originate from each country's industrial foundations and actual needs. Intelligent manufacturing represents a realistic direction, with potential collaboration in data centers, clean energy, digital infrastructure, and talent development to cultivate professionals proficient in digital and AI applications. At the governance level, exchanges on AI standards, safety testing, data governance, and ethical norms can be strengthened, sharing practical experiences to jointly explore governance approaches that balance innovation, safety, and growth. China-Thailand cooperation can offer the Global South a proven example: developing nations can engage in international cooperation on equal footing, importing technology and investment while building industries, nurturing talent, and enhancing infrastructure according to local needs, gradually developing self-sustaining capacities. This embodies the "win-win" philosophy in international relations—not unilateral giving or dependence, but mutual respect and mutual achievement.
Background on the interviewee
Vikrom Kromadit, born in 1953 in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, is a Thai-Chinese entrepreneur, philanthropist, and bestselling author of Chinese descent. He currently chairs the Thai-Chinese Business Council. After graduating in mechanical engineering from National Taiwan University, he returned to Thailand in 1975 to start his business career. In 1988, he founded Amata Industrial Park and established the Amata Group and Amata Foundation. From 2006 to 2008, he ranked among Forbes Thailand's top 40 richest individuals and was recognized as an "Asian Hero of Philanthropy." In 2008, he received the "Asian Business Leader of the Year" award from fDi Magazine, a publication of the Financial Times Group.