'AI has good and bad sides, we must maximize the good'

On the morning of May 28, within the framework of his official visit to Malaysia and participation in the 46th ASEAN Summit and related summits, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the opening discussion session with the theme "Smart Grid: Connectivity through autonomous AI".

This is a session to set the direction for the ASEAN – Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Economic Forum in 2025, focusing on autonomous artificial intelligence (AI), comprehensive digital transformation and the role of cooperation between ASEAN – GCC – China in building a reliable and comprehensive digital infrastructure.

Responding to a question from the Malaysian Minister of Industry and Trade on the development of human resources, infrastructure and institutions so that ASEAN does not fall behind in the AI race, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that AI development is an inevitable trend, an objective requirement and also a strategic choice that needs to be given top priority. AI is penetrating every aspect of life, helping to increase productivity, improve communication, promote production and business and contribute to the goal of rapid and sustainable development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended a discussion session themed “Smart Grid: Connectivity through autonomous AI” in Malaysia. (Photo: VGP)

The Prime Minister pointed out that ASEAN is a dynamic region with a young population, cultural diversity, and a large market; meanwhile, the GCC has strengths in finance, technology, and energy. This opens up clear opportunities for cooperation between the two regions, especially in the field of AI.

“Enterprises and people are the center and subjects of the process of connecting and developing AI; the State plays a role in creating, leading and supporting,” said the Prime Minister.

The head of the Vietnamese government called for promoting comprehensive coordination in all areas, from education and training, people-to-people exchanges, to designing flexible institutions and developing data infrastructure, electricity and digital networks. According to the Prime Minister, building an AI governance institution that both promotes innovation and ensures safety and controls risks is the core.

When asked about the opportunities and challenges of AI, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized: “AI has both good and bad sides, the issue is to maximize the good points and limit the negative ones. This is a global, all-people, comprehensive problem.”

The Prime Minister said that we should not be afraid of AI but should encourage controlled development, creating a continuous but safe, effective and civilized AI flow.

In particular, the Prime Minister clearly stated his humanistic point of view when emphasizing: "Humans invented AI, not AI discovered humans, so we cannot let AI win over humans or completely replace humans, so that humans lose all their jobs or lose all their creativity."

The Prime Minister also suggested that countries need to ensure equal access to AI, leaving no country behind. Rich countries that hold technology need to transfer and support poor and developing countries in building infrastructure, training human resources, mobilizing finance and transferring high technology, to work towards inclusive and comprehensive development.

Sharing about the current situation in which Vietnam is also limited in accessing high technology, the Prime Minister affirmed: “If we want to be self-reliant, we must develop. If we are transferred, we will develop faster, if not, we must still develop. The more pressure, the more effort, creating motivation to move forward.”

Closing the discussion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized: AI development must go hand in hand with risk control, ensuring civilization, humanity and safety. Modern infrastructure, smart governance, and open institutions are needed to both promote and control AI. At the same time, cooperation between ASEAN - GCC - China is an important condition to promote distinct potential and competitive advantages, aiming towards the common development goal, winning together, sharing achievements, and sharing happiness.

Moonlight

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/cong-nghe/-ai-co-mat-tot-va-mat-xau-phai-phat-huy-toi-da-diem-tot/20250528024131801