KBTG Welcomes a Blast From the Future at the Second Annual KBTG Techtopia

KASIKORN Business-Technology Group (KBTG) recently organized KBTG Techtopia for the second consecutive year. A thought-provoking and skill-awakening tech conference, KBTG Techtopia brought together over 70 speakers from around the world and more than 2,500 attendees, establishing itself as Thailand's leading platform for tech enthusiasts.
KASIKORN Business-Technology Group (KBTG)
July 26, 2024 | 16:40

KBTG Techtopia

KBTG Techtopia
Ruangroj Poonpol, Group Chairman of KBTG, stated, "following our success from last year, we opted for KBTG Techtopia at a much larger scale, moving the venue from our headquarters to Samyan Mitrtown, a mixed-use property in the city of Bangkok. On 18 July 2024, we transformed the entire fifth floor into a space where attendees could immerse themselves in emerging technologies and meaningful conversations.
Although our primary focus is still AI, we chose to dive deeper beneath the trends, addressing more pressing matters as discussed on the global stage like risk management, national strategy, and AI ethics. Most importantly, we would like to demonstrate that, against major beliefs, AI will not reduce or replace human's role. On the contrary, human's significance will only increase moving forward, serving as the conductor to the orchestra. Always bring AI on the table but keep humans in the room."

Ruangroj Poonpol & Andrew Ng

Ruangroj Poonpol & Andrew Ng
With this year's theme being "A Blast From the Future'', not only were the topics curated to showcase new possibilities that near-future technologies can unlock, both to positive and negative effects, KBTG also invited Thai policy makers and representatives from global institutions to share their action plans and paint the visions of tomorrow together. One of the key speakers is Dr. Andrew Ng, the Managing General Partner of AI Fund, founder of DeepLearning.AI, co-founder of Coursera, and named by Time magazine as one of the most influential people in AI.
In his keynote, Ng explained how AI is rapidly evolving into general-purpose technology, likening it to electricity. With new opportunities came risks, though he argued that the risks of AI lie in the application, not the technology itself. He further pointed out the areas in which AI could be applied in Thailand, namely tourism, healthcare, and agriculture. Ng's appearance on the stage of KBTG Techtopia came after the strategic partnership announcement between AI Fund and KXVC, KBTG's venture capital arm, with the aim to build new AI startups and strengthen connections between their robust ecosystems. During his visit, KBTG and Ng have formed two additional partnerships to drive AI education in Thailand:
  1. KBTG, DeepLearning.AI and Artificial Intelligence Association of Thailand (AIAT) to create KBTG.AI Kampus program for developing Thai AI talents
  2. KBTG, AI Fund, and Equitable Education Fund (EEF) to explore AI technology solutions to help improve Thailand's youth education system.

What differentiated this year's conference is the variety of topics. Not limiting the subjects to AI, KBTG Techtopia touched on other emerging techs, from machine learning, blockchain, Web3, quantum computing, cyber security, ESG and many more, through the eyes of industry experts like Microsoft, AWS, Google Cloud, IBM, and Cisco. Additionally, we worked with The Secret Sauce, one of Thailand's most popular podcast shows, to produce a half-day session featuring remarkable innovations and business cases by Thais, illuminating the actual potential Thailand holds. In total, the conference offered three conference stages, six workshops, as well as the innovation product exhibition zone with selections of state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge solutions by KBTG and partners, including KASIKORN VISION INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY or K-Tech, KBTG's China-based office who flew from Shenzhen to take part in this event.

Aligning with KBTG's mission to promote AI literacy and support AI growth, all proceeds from ticket sales after deduction of expenses are allocated to the Artificial Intelligence Association of Thailand (AIAT) to support the development of OpenThaiGPT – a project aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the Thai large language model (Thai LLM) and improving its usability. Having sold out the on-ground tickets within the early bird period, KBTG has raised a total of 681,000 baht. This amount will be further contributed by the sales of rerun tickets.

Mr. Ruangroj said in closing, "through KBTG Techtopia, we hope to show the world that KBTG is a tech powerhouse of Southeast Asia and that Thailand is the destination for frontier technologies. Having brought prominent figures such as Ng to inspire thousands of people in Thailand, KBTG Techtopia has proven itself as the place to be for all tech enthusiasts. Next year is going to be even more amazing and we could not wait to take everyone on an exploration once more."

KASIKORN Business-Technology Group

KBTG is a tech arm of KASIKORNBANK. We never cease to innovate financial applications and beyond, with the aim to become the best tech organization of Southeast Asia.

KASIKORN Business-Technology Group (KBTG)
Chia sẻ
 Email

Recommended

Indian delegation in Ireland to attend 40th anniversary memorial of Kanishka accident Economy

Indian delegation in Ireland to attend 40th anniversary memorial of Kanishka accident

A high-level Indian delegation led by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, along with BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, and representatives from five states, has arrived in Ireland to participate in the 40th anniversary memorial of the Air India Kanishka accident.
June 24, 2025 | 18:28
India threads ahead: Apparel exports soar as West moves away from China, Bangladesh Economy

India threads ahead: Apparel exports soar as West moves away from China, Bangladesh

As the global fashion supply chain undergoes a tectonic shift, India is emerging as a clear beneficiary.
June 23, 2025 | 09:17
30 Years of Vietnam–U.S. Relations: Businesses as Driving Force for Growth Economy

30 Years of Vietnam–U.S. Relations: Businesses as Driving Force for Growth

On June 20, the Embassy of Vietnam in the United States, in coordination with the US-ASEAN Center, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), and Arizona State University, held a seminar titled “30 Years of Vietnam–U.S. Relations: The Role of Public-Private Partnerships” in Washington, D.C.
June 23, 2025 | 09:15
World Economic Forum report praises India's efforts in shaping global energy transition Economy

World Economic Forum report praises India's efforts in shaping global energy transition

Ranked 4th among the world's five largest economies, India holds a critical position in shaping the global energy transition, not only due to its rapid economic growth but also because of its rising energy demand and increasing influence on global emissions and energy policy, according to a report by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
June 22, 2025 | 07:00

Popular articles

India records highest growth in power generation after US & China in last five years: IEA Economy

India records highest growth in power generation after US & China in last five years: IEA

India has recorded the third-highest growth in power generation capacity worldwide over the past five years, according to a recent report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
June 21, 2025 | 11:14
Read more