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| Delegates and organizers gather in front of the event sign at the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI in Bangkok, June 2025. |
Thailand is preparing to take center stage in global discussions on artificial intelligence with its upcoming role as host of the 3rd UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI. Scheduled from June 24 to 27, 2025, in Bangkok, this event will be the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region. As AI technologies continue to advance at an unprecedented pace, the forum will serve as a critical platform to evaluate ethical practices, share policy developments, and strengthen global cooperation.
The forum, organized by UNESCO in partnership with the Thai government, will gather more than 800 delegates from around the world. These include representatives from all 194 UNESCO Member States, as well as stakeholders from academia, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations. The central theme, "Ethical Governance of AI in Motion," reflects a growing urgency to move beyond principles and toward actionable frameworks that ensure AI systems are transparent, inclusive, and accountable.
Among the pressing issues on the agenda are the risks of bias and discrimination in AI algorithms, the digital divide, the environmental costs of AI development, and the growing need for data protection. Special focus will be given to AI’s intersection with human rights, particularly regarding gender equality, access to education, and freedom of expression. Attendees will examine how AI technologies can be shaped to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals without compromising ethical standards.
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| Official cover of the 3rd UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI, highlighting the event theme and schedule. |
Thailand’s participation is more than symbolic. The country is actively conducting a Readiness Assessment under UNESCO’s RAM framework, a comprehensive methodology used to evaluate a nation’s infrastructure, governance, and ethical capacity to manage AI. This assessment will provide a foundation for ongoing policy reform and capacity-building efforts. Thailand is also implementing its National AI Strategy (2022–2027), which outlines the government’s goals in developing ethical, responsible, and inclusive AI applications.
Hosting the forum positions Thailand as a regional leader in ethical AI governance. It reflects the country’s ambition not only to keep pace with AI innovation but also to shape its trajectory responsibly. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life—from education and healthcare to public administration and economic planning—Thailand's involvement in global ethical discourse will help ensure these technologies benefit society broadly, rather than deepen inequality or erode public trust.
This event also signals a broader trend of Southeast Asia becoming more active in global technology governance. With growing digital economies and youthful, tech-savvy populations, countries in the region face both opportunities and challenges in managing AI. Thailand’s role in hosting this forum underscores its readiness to act as a bridge between global standards and local realities, ensuring that ethical considerations remain at the heart of digital transformation.