AI: Choose innovation or responsibility?

At the Nobel Dialogue 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, Professor Virginia Dignum called on the AI ​​community to balance innovation with responsibility, orienting technology to serve the benefit of humanity.

Displayed at the Nobel Exhibition within the framework of the Nobel Dialogue 2025 program organized by the Embassy of Sweden in collaboration with RMIT University Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City on September 15 - Photo: THANH HIEP

At the Nobel Dialogue 2025, organized by the Embassy of Sweden in collaboration with RMIT University Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City on September 15, international technology experts presented many perspectives on the balance between artificial intelligence (AI) innovation and responsibility to humanity.

Speaking at the program, Professor of Responsible AI Virginia Dignum (Umeå University, Sweden) emphasized: "Like Alfred Nobel who was concerned about the impact of science , we - those working in the field of AI - must also ask ourselves: What is the impact of our work? Can AI be used for good, for the benefit of humanity?", Ms. Dignum emphasized.

Strong AI, strong bias

Ms. Dignum describes the technology as a two-sided coin: AI solves as many problems as it creates. AI brings unprecedented capabilities, but also risks eroding the very foundations of the civilization that created it.

The nature of AI’s dependence on human data means it is never truly “neutral” as many believe. Behind seemingly objective AI systems are millions of workers silently collecting, processing, and feeding data. AI does not create new data, but only repeats, and sometimes exaggerates, existing data created by humans.

"Increasingly powerful algorithms not only make AI more accurate and faster, but also amplify existing biases, causing more harm to humans," Professor Dignum warned. Therefore, the biggest challenge for modern society is not to restrain AI, but to manage AI responsibly. She emphasized that the responsibility does not lie with AI, but with society, the Government and humans themselves.

“We cannot choose between innovation and ethical responsibility. Governance at all levels is the stepping stone for scientific development and welfare,” she said.

No one is left behind

Agreeing with Professor Dignum's argument, Dr. Abdul Rohman, senior lecturer at RMIT University Vietnam, pointed out that the current state of the AI ​​race is still approaching technology-centrically and forgetting the idea that AI must revolve around humans.

This leaves many AI developers unaware of the importance of understanding users' specific life experiences.

Mr. Rohman gave the example of the deaf community in Ho Chi Minh City, whose vocabulary is very modest due to the limitations of sign language.

However, designing commands for AI is a skill that depends heavily on vocabulary or voice. This leaves the deaf community in particular and vulnerable groups invisibly excluded from technological advances.

“When it comes to inclusive AI governance or innovation that benefits everyone, data for those who are not in the majority is ignored. Real-life experiences are not incorporated into AI innovation,” said Rohman.

From the realities of AI development, Mr. Rohman said Vietnam still needs to "localize" AI models to better suit the specific domestic context.

Vietnam not only has urban areas like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang but also mountainous areas where digital infrastructure is underdeveloped. This creates a gap in access to digital technology .

"If we don't address this, already disadvantaged groups will be pushed further behind by AI. The problem is even worse if people know how to use AI but don't know how to protect themselves from risks. We can research to provide a toolkit that both enables equitable access to AI and protects users. That's an area where the private sector, the state and academia can join forces," he suggested.

New approaches to education in the age of AI

Amid the wave of massive investment in AI hardware and infrastructure, many experts assert that the key factor to leading lies not in technology, but in people. If you want to dominate AI, start with education.

SCMP newspaper quoted Dr. Jack Ilmonen, an expert on AI and data analysis at Keiser University (USA), emphasizing: "The country that best equips its people with the ability to collaborate effectively with AI will rise to the top in productivity, innovation and competitiveness."

Collective power, amplified by AI, will then become a dominant strategic advantage. In the big picture, data and hardware are just “ammunition”, education is the “weapon”.

Dr. Rita Mokbel, President and CEO of Ericsson Vietnam, affirmed that the new situation makes cooperation between the Government, academia and industry even more important. This needs to be done from the step of integrating AI into the curriculum.

“In our experience, not just in AI but from digital transformation, when the Government takes the lead and brings together academia, the private and public sectors, miracles can happen.”

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ai-chon-doi-moi-hay-trach-nhiem-20250918075637729.htm