A new global survey has found that nearly 30% of teachers are now using artificial intelligence (AI) tools on a weekly basis, a trend that could free up around six weeks’ worth of working hours each year. This rapid adoption signals a shift in how educators prepare lessons, grade assignments, and support students—putting AI at the heart of a classroom transformation that has important implications for Thailand’s education system.
The findings, published by Gallup and referenced in their recent article, highlight the increasing integration of digital technologies worldwide and point to promising opportunities for educators facing time constraints and heavy workloads. For Thailand, where teacher shortages and administrative burdens remain persistent challenges, adapting to these trends could lead to significant improvements in both educational quality and teacher well-being.
AI technologies have gained traction in education due to their ability to automate repetitive tasks—lesson planning, assessment creation, feedback, and even some elements of personalized tutoring. According to the referenced Gallup survey, teachers who regularly use AI report saving an average of six weeks per school year, with many attributing the freed time to streamlined grading, resource generation, and administrative support.
“Instead of spending hours marking papers manually, teachers can now generate individual feedback with one click,” says an education technology expert at a leading Bangkok university. “This efficiency allows them to shift focus towards interactive teaching, supporting students with diverse learning needs, and engaging in professional development.”
In the Thai context, the Ministry of Education and various local EdTech startups have begun piloting AI-powered tools in classrooms, particularly in urban centers where internet infrastructure is robust. Public school teachers in Bangkok report that adopting AI programs has eased their administrative load, although adoption in rural areas remains hampered by uneven access to technology and digital literacy gaps.
Cultural attitudes toward technology in Thai education are evolving. Traditionally, Thai classrooms have focused heavily on rote learning and teacher-led instruction, but the push for digital transformation—accelerated by disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic—has helped normalize blended learning approaches. The gradual normalization of AI in the classroom is now enhancing this trend, as more teachers utilize platforms for homework checking, plagiarism detection, and generating interactive learning modules.
However, experts caution that the full benefits of AI depend on ongoing training and equitable resource distribution. According to a curriculum developer at a central provincial education office, “Many Thai teachers are eager to use technology, but continuous professional development is crucial. We must make sure training programs keep pace with the evolution of AI tools; otherwise, disparities could widen between well-resourced and under-resourced schools.”
The debate around AI in education is not without controversy. Some educators and parents worry about overreliance on algorithms, concerns about student data privacy, and the role of human judgment in teaching. An education policy analyst with the National Institute of Educational Testing Service notes, “While AI can help reduce drudgery, it must not replace teachers’ intuition or the uniquely Thai value of teacher-student relationships. The best use cases blend automation with personal care.”
Teachers already experimenting with AI in Thailand have noted its impact. “By using these tools, I spend less time on paperwork and more on supporting students directly,” reports a secondary school teacher in Chiang Mai. “At first, I was skeptical about AI, but now I see it as my assistant, not my replacement.”
Data from the Ministry of Education show a steady increase in digital literacy training programs and pilot projects that encourage AI integration—yet fewer than half of Thai schools have adopted EdTech platforms beyond basic online classrooms, according to a January 2024 government report.
Globally, the Gallup survey found that the countries with the highest weekly AI use among teachers tend to have advanced digital infrastructure and supportive government policies. For Thailand to realize similar benefits, stakeholders emphasize the need for targeted investment in teacher training, device access, and curriculum adaptation.
As Thailand’s education system faces a future shaped by demographic shifts and economic change, integrating efficient, AI-driven solutions could help bridge achievement gaps and foster lifelong learning skills critical to the Thai workforce.
Looking forward, experts suggest that a sustained focus on digital upskilling, policy reform, and collaborative partnerships with the private sector will be key to maximizing the benefits of AI in Thai classrooms. Practical recommendations include:
- Expanding national digital infrastructure so all schools can participate in technology-enhanced learning
- Mandating regular teacher training in AI best practices and digital citizenship
- Supporting joint ventures with Thai EdTech startups to tailor AI solutions for local languages and curricula
- Encouraging parental and community engagement in discussions around AI, privacy, and ethics in education
For teachers, a proactive approach to learning about new AI tools—participating in pilot projects, sharing resources among networks, and providing feedback to developers—can ensure technology serves as a meaningful partner in the mission to educate Thailand’s next generation.
For further reading on the topic, see the Gallup news article, UNESCO’s guidance on AI in education, and the Ministry of Education’s EdTech pilot program reports.