The Convergence of 5G and AI - Infrastructure for Innovation, Creativity and Economic Development
The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), National University of Singapore, has just released a comprehensive research report that outlines how ASEAN can leverage the convergence of 5G and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive transformational economic growth.
The study, titled “Leveraging 5G to Drive AI-Driven Transformation in ASEAN,” led by Vietnamese Professor Vu Minh Khuong, will provide policymakers with practical strategies to unlock the region’s digital potential.
Professor Vu Minh Khuong at the announcement of the research report results (Photo: LKYSPP).
According to the report, ASEAN is facing a huge opportunity as 5G technology alone is expected to contribute up to 130 billion USD to the Asia- Pacific economy by 2030.
“The convergence of 5G and AI is the infrastructure for innovation, driving areas such as smart manufacturing, precision agriculture , and autonomous transportation. But ASEAN cannot afford to wait. The window to assert its regional leadership in smart connectivity is rapidly closing,” Professor Vu Minh Khuong shared.
Vietnam and the achievements when combining 5G - AI
According to the report, Vietnam has been achieving remarkable economic achievements through its strategic approach to 5G and AI.
The report points out that the first is the “Smart Following” strategy. Instead of racing to be a pioneer, Vietnam is applying a smart following strategy, taking advantage of falling infrastructure costs, improved technology standards and lessons from previous countries.
This approach allows Vietnam to deploy 5G more economically and efficiently, especially in priority areas such as high-tech zones, ports, industrial parks, etc., helping to optimize resources and direct investment to areas that bring high economic value.
Besides, in the context of global technology tensions, geopolitical neutrality is an advantage for Vietnam, helping to attract global investment in semiconductor manufacturing, telecommunications infrastructure and AI innovation.
The combination of 5G and AI will be an opportunity to promote digital transformation and develop the economy (Photo: Getty).
Attracting foreign direct investment flows into these high-tech sectors is a clear demonstration of the economic achievements that Vietnam is achieving, consolidating its position in the global technology supply chain.
The deployment of 5G networks also shows that Vietnam prioritizes the efficiency value of 5G networks, rather than mere coverage indicators.
These approaches ensure that investments in 5G and AI are directed towards real-world applications that can create high economic value for businesses and society, such as smart factories, precision logistics, remote healthcare, etc., which are areas that have a big impact when 5G is combined with AI.
Overall, although 5G and AI are still in the development and expansion stages, Vietnam has shown its ability to exploit these technologies not only to achieve connection speeds but also to create strategic value.
By taking a smart approach, attracting investment and focusing on high-value applications, Vietnam is positioning itself to continue reaping the economic rewards of this digital revolution.
5G - AI and great opportunities for the ASEAN region
Looking ahead, the LKYSPP report envisions a vision where ASEAN leads the way in the 5G-AI era: businesses going global with smart manufacturing; farmers optimizing productivity with AI data analytics; students in remote areas gaining access to advanced immersive education.
The LKYSPP report shows that the real race in digital transformation is not about who deploys 5G or 6G the fastest – but who gets the most value from it. ASEAN is at a critical juncture where the opportunity to lead lies not in technological ostentation, but in strategic clarity, policy coherence, and ecosystem integration.
To realize this vision, ASEAN needs strategic coordination, strong determination and commitment to sustainable digital transformation.
Professor Vu Minh Khuong was born in 1959 in Hai Phong. He is currently a Professor of Practice at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), National University of Singapore.
Professor Khuong specializes in research and teaching in the fields of economic development and policy analysis. He has published three books and more than 50 articles in many prestigious academic journals.
Professor Vu Minh Khuong is among the top 2% of most cited scholars worldwide. He received his PhD from Harvard University in 2005. His name is on the honor roll of the Kennedy School of Government (Harvard University).
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/cong-nghe/5g-va-ai-da-giup-viet-nam-dat-duoc-nhung-thanh-tuu-kinh-te-gi-20250723023055950.htm
Comment (0)