Remarks at Capacity Building Programme on AI Governance

H.E. Keovisouk Solaphom, Deputy Minister of Technology and Communications

Senior officials of the Ministry and national partner organizations

Ladies and gentlemen:

Sabaidee ton sao!

Let me thank the Ministry of Technology and Communications, ESCAP’s Training Centre for ICT for Development (APCICT), and the Digital Economy Promotion Agency of Thailand for joining hands to organize this important Capacity Building Programme on AI Governance. This event reflects not only strong regional cooperation, but also a clear recognition that Artificial Intelligence is a crucial force shaping our collective future.

I am pleased to address you today for the UN Country Team in Lao PDR. This programme is an important step in strengthening national capacities, so that AI can be governed responsibly and used as a tool to advance sustainable development for all people in Lao PDR.

Without a doubt, Lao PDR is at a pivotal stage in its digital transformation journey. As a Least Developed Country aspiring to graduate from LDC status in 2026, Laos clearly sees digitalization and AI as critical enablers of inclusive growth.

Lao PDR’s strategic location places it at the heart of the region, facilitating digital connectivity, cross-border integration and participation in regional value chains. Its young and dynamic population – with over 60% under the age of 35 – provides a strong demographic advantage. With internet penetration rising from 39% in 2019 to over 64% in 2023, and with growing exposure to AI applications, Lao PDR has the potential to leapfrog traditional development stages through direct investment in AI-enabled solutions.

In addition, the Government has shown political will by adopting the National Digital Economy Strategy (2024), drafting a Decree on Digital Transformation, and implementing the Digital Health Strategy 2023–2027.

At the same time, serious infrastructure and connectivity gaps persist. Only about 5% of primary schools have internet access, and rural areas lag far behind urban centres. Limited data centres and high costs also restrict equitable AI adoption.

Institutional fragmentation is another challenge. Ministries, universities, and businesses often develop separate digital or AI strategies with little coordination, reducing efficiency. There is also regulatory uncertainty. While data protection and cybercrime laws exist, AI-specific regulations are lacking, leaving gaps in rights to transparency, redress and accountability.

Capacity limitations is a key concern. Only 1% of the workforce is employed in ICT, and research funding remains under 1% of GDP. Universities have few AI departments, and teacher shortages and language barriers hinder STEM education. Gender gaps remain (0.93 female-to-male ratio in internet use), and rural communities are much less connected, risking exclusion.

Finally, stakeholders have voiced ethical concerns and trust issues: risks of misinformation, bias and lack of transparency are significant, and public trust in digital services remains fragile.

Nevertheless, the momentum is strong. The UNESCO AI Ethics Readiness Assessment (RAM, 2025) confirms high interest in AI across government, academia and industry, but also calls for stronger coordination, investment in human capital and multi-sectoral governance. A National AI Council or integrating AI into existing national coordination mechanisms is one of the key recommendations.

Ultimately, digital transformation in Lao PDR is not simply about deploying new technologies. It is about creating an inclusive and ethical society, where AI is harnessed to expand opportunities, strengthen services, protect rights and ensure that no one is left behind.

How can United Nations support this?

The UN Country Team in Lao PDR is committed to supporting the Government in advancing its digital transformation and AI agenda. Our role is to ensure that national strategies are implemented in ways that are both effective and inclusive, drawing on global standards and adapting them to local realities. 

In practical terms, this support can be seen across five key areas:

• Strategic Alignment with National Priorities: The UN has collaborated with the Government to advance the National Digital Economy Strategy (2024), support the upcoming Decree on Digital Transformation (2025), and strengthen sectoral plans such as the Digital Health Strategy 2023–2027.

• Promoting Ethical Governance and Policy Coherence: We are keen to bridge ministries and agencies, fostering whole-of-government coordination, and remove silos. Through UNESCO, we conducted the AI Ethics Readiness Assessment (RAM) to identify legal and governance gaps, laying the groundwork for a national roadmap towards responsible AI.

• Enhancing Services and Digital Infrastructure: Across education, health, social protection and digital ID, UN agencies help build the digital infrastructure needed to deliver inclusive services. UNDP and ESCAP support regulatory solutions and e-governance pilots, including AI services for health and agricultural sectors.

• Strengthening Digital Skills and Innovation: UNESCO is training 6,200 TVET instructors in AI tools, potentially reaching 620,000 students. UNICEF is advancing online safety for children and creating ethical AI guidance for schools. UNFPA uses AI platforms to improve maternal and newborn healthcare decision-making. UNDP and ESCAP are leading foresight exercises on AI in public administration and piloting "smart villages" to demonstrate digital solutions in rural areas.

• Capacity-Building and Inclusion: We support efforts to bridge the rural–urban divide and promoting universal service obligations in national infrastructure plans. Initiatives include inclusive AI literacy programs for schools, civil servants and journalists, and the creation of a Lao-language AI primer. Scholarships and mentorship programs target rural youth and women to boost participation in digital transformation.

Ladies and gentlemen –

Artificial Intelligence brings both great opportunities and significant risks. No single actor can address these alone. Strong partnerships that bring together government, the private sector, academia, civil society and development partners are essential to ensure that AI contributes to equitable and sustainable development in Lao PDR.

Regional cooperation is equally important. Through ASEAN and ESCAP, Lao PDR can benefit from experiences and knowledge exchange, while aligning policies with global standards. With ASEAN projecting that AI could boost the region’s GDP by up to 18% by 2030, these partnerships will help the country capture real economic and social benefits.

The private sector is a key player in this journey. Telecom operators, digital startups and investors are essential to building AI-ready infrastructure and services.

Partnerships with universities and research institutions are also critical. With limited AI research capacity at the national level, Lao PDR can collaborate with regional universities and research networks to build skills, promote innovation and expand Lao-language datasets for AI tools.

Finally, civil society and the media help ensure inclusivity and trust. By promoting AI literacy and raising awareness about ethical use, they make sure technologies respect cultural contexts. Initiatives such as a Lao-language AI primer show how inclusive approaches can bring communities into the conversation.

To conclude, as the country advances towards LDC graduation, the way AI is governed is a key factor in shaping an inclusive and equitable future. This is a universal phenomenon – and a tremendous opportunity – and many countries are beginning to reap the benefits.

By working together, we can ensure that Artificial Intelligence becomes not just a driver of innovation, but a pathway to opportunity, equity and resilience, positioning Lao PDR as a regional example of how responsible AI governance can advance sustainable development.

Thank you for your attention. I wish you successful learning and deliberations over the next 2 days.