Event date: June 24, 2025
Event time: 2:00 - 3:30 P.M.
Enabling an AI-ready Workforce: Exchanging Policy Perspectives and Solutions
Background
On the occasion of the 3rd UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI, hosted for the first time in the Asia-Pacific region by Thailand, this pre-event will convene representatives from government, private sector, academia, AI experts, and civil society to reflect on and address urgent regional priorities around capacity building, skills, and data and AI literacy in Asia and the Pacific.
Building upon existing regional initiatives in workforce skilling and responsible data and AI capacity building, the event will spotlight tools, case studies, digital learning resources, playbooks, and adaptable policy solutions aimed at empowering both public and private stakeholders. Participants will engage in interactive discussions focused on:
Developing a Future-Ready AI Workforce: Aligning training programmes with emerging employment needs, emphasizing inclusion of youth, women, and marginalized groups.
Data and AI Literacy: Strengthening data and AI skills of key decision makers including policymakers, enabling them to be innovative and put in place effective policy measures.
Through structured dialogues, participants will collaboratively identify concrete steps to foster inclusive and equitable AI skills development for the Asia-Pacific region.
Objectives
Outline a way forward: Document key recommendations, takeaways, partnership opportunities, and next steps that can feed into the main AI summit and subsequent regional initiatives to drive action.
Foster multi-stakeholder collaboration: Facilitate dialogue among policymakers, private-sector leaders, academics, AI experts, and development partners on how to align efforts for lasting impact, particularly around skills and workforce readiness.
Contextualize key gaps and needs: Examine the most pressing capacity and policy gaps related to AI skills that governments and other stakeholders face.
Showcase practical solutions and best practices: Introduce existing training tools, skilling programmes, playbooks, and case studies from partners (including private-sector and non-profit initiatives) that address regional needs.
Session Outline
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Framing the importance of an AI-ready workforce while highlighting pressing AI skills gaps and priorities for governments and other stakeholders.
Panel/Case Studies
Government, private sector, academic, and civil society speakers share solutions for inclusive capacity-building and workforce development.
Interactive Dialogues
Small-group discussions in a world café format to align on priority needs, explore practical solutions, and partnership opportunities around inclusive AI skills development.
Closing and Next Steps
Summary of key takeaways, potential partnerships, and actionable recommendations to feed into the main summit.
Panelists
Mr. Wongkot Wongsapai, Vice President, Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO), Thailand
Ms. Yinghui Tng, Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy, Southeast Asia, Google
Ms. Trisha Suresh, Head of Public Policy, South-East Asia, LinkedIn, Singapore
Mr. Komes Chandavimol, Principal AI Evangelist, Kasikorn Business Technology Group (KBTG), Thailand
Mr. Ekapol Chuangsuwanich, Deputy Director, Artificial Intelligence Centre, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
Moderator
Mr. Priyank Hirani, Director of Capacity Building, data.org
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