A reflection on why an intelligent economy is only truly inclusive when smaller businesses keep their independence, not merely their access.
Thailand's small and medium-sized enterprises are often described as the foundation of the economy. Yet each new wave of technology tends to produce the same risk: large organisations acquire capability first, while smaller businesses become users of systems they do not control.
The World Bank has highlighted innovation, SMEs and start-ups as central to Thailand's future competitiveness. It has also identified continuing gaps in digital skills, data use, interoperability and coordination that limit the wider benefits of digital transformation.
Giving every SME access to an AI subscription will not solve this problem. Smaller organisations need practical intelligence connected to their real operations: inventory, accounting, customer service, demand forecasting, compliance, product design and access to new markets.
They also need bargaining power. A small hotel, factory, clinic or retailer may generate valuable operational data but lack the expertise to negotiate how that data is used. It may become increasingly dependent on one platform, with limited ability to move information or change providers.
Thailand should develop shared AI infrastructure for SMEs. Industry associations could create sector-specific tools and trusted data spaces. Larger enterprises could help suppliers adopt interoperable systems. Government support could be tied to measurable business outcomes rather than one-time technology purchases.
For example, a shared system for smaller manufacturers might help forecast orders, detect quality problems and compare energy use — without requiring every company to build its own AI team.
The cultural dimension is important. Technology adoption often fails when it is introduced as a system imposed from above. SME owners and frontline workers must participate in defining the problem, evaluating the tool and adjusting it to local practice. My research suggested that consultation and compatibility with everyday experience increase participation in technology-mediated environments. The same principle applies to enterprise transformation.
SMEs should not become permanent tenants in an intelligence economy owned by a few platforms. They should be participants with capability, choice and a meaningful share of the value created.
Inclusive AI is not achieved when every small business can use a tool. It is achieved when small businesses can use intelligence without surrendering their independence.