A global shift toward AI in the workplace is not just about productivity. In Thailand, experts warn that collaboration with machines could affect how employees feel and perform. This week, a call for deeper study highlights the emotional and psychological effects of AI-enabled work, especially for roles closely tied to automated systems.
For Thai audiences, the timing is right. Thailand is accelerating digital transformation across manufacturing, finance, and retail. As workers partner with AI and robotics, understanding the impact on mental health and morale becomes essential for policymakers and business leaders shaping the Kingdom’s future.
Early international findings indicate a pattern: workers in AI-rich environments often experience anxiety and job insecurity as automation raises fears of displacement. Those who monitor or work alongside intelligent systems report emotional exhaustion from constant software updates, shifting duties, and blurred lines between human and machine oversight. Knowledge-based professionals may worry about AI altering purpose and professional identity.
At a recent Thai symposium, a senior official from a leading university noted that AI can boost efficiency but may disrupt team dynamics and foster isolation among staff unaccustomed to tech-driven workflows. Thailand’s workplace culture—valuing collaboration, social interaction, and clear hierarchy—may be particularly sensitive to automation’s subtle shifts.
Global experts emphasize that AI is not a cold, purely rational force. Automating tasks reshapes relationships among workers, managers, and customers. Without attention to emotional effects, organizations risk higher absenteeism, burnout, and resistance to adoption. As Thailand advances under Thailand 4.0, teams must manage these human dimensions as roles evolve.
Thai policymakers and business leaders are already pursuing reskilling and morale monitoring within digital initiatives. The Ministry of Labour has formed task forces to observe well-being in pilot AI projects, but deeper local research remains necessary. Thailand’s experience with rapid change—drawn from past economic shifts and outsourcing trends—offers lessons: supportive management and mental health literacy are essential.
Looking ahead, techno-stress—a mix of information overload, uncertainty, and pressure to adapt—may rise if proactive steps are delayed. Yet action can mitigate harm: provide accessible training, encourage open dialogue about concerns, and embed psychological support into AI adoption plans. Elevating public awareness and strengthening workplace mental health resources will help Thailand build a competitive yet compassionate digital economy.
For Thailand’s policymakers, business leaders, and employees, this moment invites a shift from measuring AI success by efficiency alone to valuing human well-being. Local research, worker surveys, and collaborations among clinicians and tech designers can ensure a future where innovation and mental health coexist.
As AI reshapes work, leaders at all levels—from educators shaping curricula to HR teams deploying tools—should ask: what is the emotional cost of our AI choices, and how can we reduce it? Elevating this conversation will make Thailand’s digital transformation more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.