AIT Five Key Thematic Areas

1. Climate Change

Climate change impacts the environment on global and regional scales. In Thailand, air pollution—especially PM2.5 spikes in winter—is a pressing concern. AIT is collaborating with Thailand’s Pollution Control Department and Climate and Clean Air Coalition to develop a tool that identifies the sources of PM2.5, aiming to address the problem at its root.

2. Smart Communities

AIT advances not just Smart City concepts, but also Smart Communities, extending innovation into rural areas. Projects include AI-powered helmet detection for motorcyclists in Bangkok and integrating satellite and drone technologies for rapid, accurate, and affordable rice mapping—helping farmers detect issues and estimate yields efficiently.

3. Food – Energy – Water

Ensuring food, energy, and water security for future generations is a priority at AIT. Research includes: converting campus food waste into energy (with the British Council & Loughborough University, UK); river health assessment with the Foundation for Integration of Water Management (Thailand); and alternate wetting/drying methods in rice farming for better yields and reduced water use.

4. Infrastructure

AIT’s infrastructure research covers transportation, telecommunication, construction, geotechnology, energy, and irrigation. In Bangladesh, AIT—working with national and international partners—assessed seismic hazards and provided technical guidance for surveying infrastructure in 9 cities, enhancing disaster resilience.

5. Technology, Policy, and Society

In collaboration with the Mekong Migration Network, AIT studies working conditions and discrimination in special economic zones across the Mekong region, promoting sustainable, lawful, and gender-equal employment. Other research includes decentralized wastewater management for developing countries, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.