The influence of AI competency and design thinking skills on innovative entrepreneurial competency: The role of strategic intelligence amongst new age entrepreneurs in Thailand

• The study examined AI and design thinking's impact on new age Thai entrepreneurs. • Findings showed significant innovation enhancements. • The research emphasized skill development for competitiveness. • Recommendations included policies and training for skill integration. This study investigates the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) competency and design thinking skills on the innovative capacities of new-age entrepreneurs in Thailand, based on a sample of 187 students enrolled in business management and entrepreneurship programs. Utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and factor analysis, the study evaluates how these competencies influence entrepreneurial innovation. The findings reveal that both AI competencies and design thinking skills significantly enhance the innovation capacity of entrepreneurs. The study underscores the importance of cultivating these skills to improve competitiveness and adaptability in the digital age. Moreover, it presents policy recommendations and necessary training initiatives to effectively integrate AI and design thinking into the entrepreneurial processes of new age entrepreneurs in Thailand. These strategic directions aim to equip them with the requisite skills to navigate evolving challenges within the business sector, thus preparing them for successful entrepreneurial endeavors in increasingly digital market environments.