A global coalition of more than 250 CEOs, including leaders from Microsoft, Airbnb, Salesforce, and LinkedIn, is urging high schools to make artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science (CS) mandatory graduation requirements in the United States. The campaign, called Unlock8 and organized by Code.org and the CSforALL coalition, signals a widening push for digital literacy as AI reshapes work and society worldwide.
For Thai readers, the move highlights a broader trend in education policy: moving beyond literacy and numeracy to include digital fluency and AI competency. Thailand can draw useful lessons from this shift as it plans how to prepare its students for a rapidly evolving, AI-driven economy.
New research underpins the push. A University of Maryland study found that even one high school CS course can boost a student’s early career earnings by about 8%, underscoring the link between coding exposure and future opportunity. The World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs report also emphasizes AI and big data as the fastest-growing fields, with many employers predicting AI-specific roles in the near future.
In the United States, progress is uneven. States increasing CS funding grew from nine in 2017 to 39 in 2024, and high schools offering CS rose from 35% to 60%. Yet only 12 states require CS for graduation, and just over 6% of high school students enrolled in CS last year. The Unlock8 campaign aims to close this gap by advocating AI and CS as standard offerings for all students.
Code.org’s president emphasizes that CS and AI equip K-12 students for a changing economy, and that broad CEO support is backing states making CS and AI coursework the norm. Research suggests AI can personalize learning, boost engagement, and improve outcomes. A 2024 study found AI-driven instruction enhances achievement and self-efficacy in high school students, while a meta-analysis reported a large positive effect on performance when AI tools are used in secondary education.
Tech companies are influencing curriculum development. Code.org’s AI and CS courses cover everything from basic coding to neural networks and generative AI, with free resources for teachers and students designed for high school integration.
Thailand’s ambition mirrors this global momentum. The government’s National AI Committee targets AI literacy for 10 million Thai citizens, a clear signal of the urgency to prepare the workforce for the digital era. Institutions such as CMKL University and the Asian Institute of Technology have launched AI-focused degree programs, though CS and AI inclusion in Thai secondary schools remains uneven and often limited to international or specialized programs. The THAI Academy initiative has already delivered basic AI education to more than one million people, and high-level forums hosted by the Asian Institute of Technology are raising awareness among policymakers and teachers.
Historically, Thai education has been centrally managed, with reforms facing resistance or delays. Yet rapid AI advances and expanding tech sector presence in Thailand and Southeast Asia are pressuring authorities to modernize. Efforts to promote equitable access to AI and CS education are ongoing, including initiatives to reach rural communities and underrepresented groups. Thailand’s focus on inclusive digital skill development aims to ensure no one is left behind as the economy modernizes.
Looking ahead, expanding AI and CS education in high schools is gaining international momentum. Many countries are considering digital skills as part of basic education, given AI’s broad applications across farming, logistics, healthcare, and entertainment. In Thailand, curriculum reform is a national priority to transform the country into a digital hub, with collaboration between the Ministry of Education, industry, and international partners expected to accelerate progress.
What does this mean for Thai students, teachers, and families? Schools can explore free, high-quality resources from Code.org and related organizations to pilot AI and CS curricula. Teacher training partnerships with Thai universities or public-private collaborations can build local capacity. Extracurricular coding and AI workshops are increasingly available nationwide for interested students.
For policymakers, the takeaway is clear: advance digital equity, fund curriculum development, and set ambitious participation targets for AI and CS. By leveraging existing momentum, Thailand can become a regional leader in shaping Southeast Asia’s digital future—ensuring the next generation drives innovation rather than merely adopting technology created elsewhere.