with DR. KRIENGSAK WONGPROMRAT

(President of Thailand Automotive Institute Director and Secretary)

The Role of AI in Transforming the Automotive Industry

Executive Summary

The automotive industry is entering a new era where AI is becoming the core driving force — not only in vehicles and manufacturing, but across the entire mobility ecosystem under the CASE framework (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electrification).

Vehicles are evolving from mere “means of transportation” into “services” and even “living spaces” through the concept of Software Defined Vehicles (SDV).

As one of the world’s major automotive production hubs, Thailand is facing new competition from emerging players leveraging AI and EV technologies. To maintain competitiveness, the country must accelerate development in technology, workforce capabilities, and infrastructure.

1. CASE: The Direction of Next-Generation Mobility

AI plays a critical role across four key dimensions:

• Connected: Vehicles communicate with their surrounding environment
• Autonomous: Driver assistance and autonomous driving systems (ADAS)
• Shared Mobility: Mobility as a service replacing ownership
• Electrification: AI-powered energy and battery management systems

2. Software Defined Vehicles (SDV)

Future vehicles will be defined by software.

• Features can be upgraded like smartphones
• Interiors evolve into living spaces
• Support V2X capabilities, such as powering external devices

3. Impact on Manufacturing

AI enhances industrial competitiveness by:

• Reducing vehicle development time from 4–5 years to 1–2 years
• Enabling flexible production lines for multiple models
• Supporting cost control amid price competition

4. Safety and Challenges

• ADAS systems are currently at Levels 1–2
• AI must evolve to understand local driving contexts
• Cybersecurity risks are increasing
• Legal liability frameworks remain under development

5. Thailand’s Strategic Direction

Thailand is transitioning toward future mobility through:

• Policies promoting EV and ADAS adoption
• Workforce development in software and mechatronics

6. Automotive Summit 2025: “AI for AI”

A key platform to drive industry transformation through:

• AI for Product: Intelligence in vehicles
• AI for Process: Manufacturing and quality control
• AI for Ecosystem: Logistics and mobility integration

Conclusion

AI is not only transforming vehicles — it is reshaping the entire automotive industry and the way people live in the future.