“Empowering National Development Through Vocational Education” with the Power of Innovation and AI in the “Learning for Life: AI for Responsible Tourism” Project
Moving forward into our fourth consecutive year of driving Thai education. Kenan Foundation Asia, in partnership with Diageo Moët Hennessy (Thailand) Ltd., continues its commitment to uplifting Thai education through the “Learning for Life: AI for Responsible Tourism” project. We recently celebrated the successful conclusion of our fourth year, showcasing tangible results and innovative learning management models nurtured throughout the program.
This project was built on a strong belief that vocational teachers are a driving force in shaping the future of the nation. Guided by the idea that “Vocational Education Builds the Nation,” we focused on equipping vocational educators across Thailand with digital tools and AI knowledge for responsible tourism. Through this initiative, teachers have been empowered to further develop and pass on essential Learning for Life skills to vocational students nationwide.
Throughout the project period, which began in October 2025, the Kenan Foundation Asia provided training on AI for Responsible Tourism to more than 650 vocational teachers. These teachers then transferred their knowledge and expanded the impact to more than 1,700 students in their classrooms.
One of the project’s key highlights was the “AI for Responsible Tourism Educators Challenge,” which attracted more than 25 teams of vocational teachers from across the country to submit innovative lesson plans. The competition aimed to create learning experiences that integrate AI technology with sustainable tourism concepts. The final round of the competition took place on 23 May 2026, with the following winning teams announced:
Winner: Team T07 Green Foundation from Minburi Technical College and Saraburi Industrial and Community Education College
1st Runner-Up: Team T15 E-TECH LOVE from Eastern Technological College (E. TECH)
2nd Runner-Up: Team T24 The Prompt from Mahasarakham Technical College and Singburi Technical College
3rd Runner-Up: Team T18 AI TravelEd Innovators from IRPC Technological College and Team T25 Surintech AI-Driven from Surin Technical College
Dr. Wimonkan Kosumas, Executive Director of Kenan Foundation Asia, shared that vocational education plays a critical role in driving Thailand’s service sector and is an important force in helping the country move toward becoming a high-income economy. Today, vocational teachers are not only using AI to design learning experiences, but are also teaching students how to use AI critically and responsibly, particularly in ways that support sustainable and responsible tourism. She described this as a highly encouraging development.
Khun Shutchada Chandrangsu, Corporate Relations Director at Diageo Moët Hennessy (Thailand) Ltd., reflected on the project’s goals, stating that the Learning for Life project aims to strengthen and expand the capabilities of people working in the tourism industry through both reskilling and upskilling initiatives. She emphasized the company’s belief that vocational education is a key mechanism for scaling development efforts more broadly. Through the collaboration with Kenan Foundation Asia, the project has also integrated clear dimensions of sustainability and responsible tourism, while applying AI in learning design to further enhance tourism development effectively.
Meanwhile, Khun Thanatton Wanajaroon, Director of Personnel Development Innovation Group under the Bureau of TVET Personnel Competency Development, highlighted the role of AI in vocational education. She noted that the growing awareness of AI among vocational teachers impacts not only teachers themselves, but also students and the wider industry sector. Teachers today are no longer simply knowledge transmitters; they are becoming learning designers and co-creators who use AI to develop innovative teaching approaches that equip students with skills aligned with real market demands. At the same time, the collaboration between Diageo Moët Hennessy (Thailand) Ltd. and Kenan Foundation Asia through the “Learning for Life: AI for Responsible Tourism” project has contributed to strengthening vocational teacher competencies, building networks of teacher leaders, and promoting the integration of AI with responsible tourism concepts to prepare a future-ready vocational workforce in a sustainable way.
This achievement not only reflects the outstanding potential of Thai vocational teachers in keeping pace with global technology trends, but also demonstrates the power of learning and innovation in shaping the future. The lesson plans and creative ideas developed through this project will serve as valuable foundations and models for nurturing vocational students, empowering them to become a driving force in advancing Thailand’s tourism industry through innovation, responsibility, and sustainability.
