AI is the "east wind" but businesses can easily fall into technology traps if they do not grasp it firmly.

(Dan Tri) - Big data, artificial intelligence, blockchain and IoT are becoming the "east wind" for Vietnamese businesses to implement ESG. However, there are many factors worth noting.

Science and Technology: "East Wind" to Implement ESG

Science and technology are one of the key factors to promote sustainable development in the new era.

This year's Vietnam ESG Forum High Council includes members who accompanied the Organizing Committee of the first Vietnam ESG Forum and some new members (Photo: Thanh Dong).

This is the common view of many experts in the 2025 Vietnam ESG Forum High-Level Council meeting with the theme “Science and Technology and the Driving Force for Sustainable Development”. The meeting was held live and online at Dan Tri newspaper on the afternoon of July 24.

According to journalist Pham Tuan Anh, Editor-in-Chief of Dan Tri newspaper, Resolution 57 clearly identified that science and technology will be one of the most important driving forces for economic growth and sustainable development.

Journalist Pham Tuan Anh, Editor-in-Chief of Dan Tri newspaper (Photo: Thanh Dong).

“We aim for a strong economic development, but at the same time must ensure sustainability.

That requires a close connection between ESG factors (environment – society – corporate governance). Science and technology are the tools, the “driving force” to help realize these factors effectively and sustainably,” the Editor-in-Chief of Dan Tri newspaper emphasized.

According to Dr. Le Thai Ha - Executive Director of VinFuture Fund, Fund for Green Future, in reality, in businesses, each pillar of ESG has a very important role of technology.

Dr. Ha cited the environment (E), many units have used IoT, big data in monitoring emissions.

Dr. Le Thai Ha - Executive Director of VinFuture Fund, Fund for a Green Future (Photo: Thanh Dong).

With the social pillar (S) featuring AI, IoT to measure social metrics such as: employee satisfaction, detecting harassment via email or internal chat platforms.

In the governance pillar (G), we can mention the application of blockchain for supply chain traceability.

Mr. Bui Minh Tien, Member of the Board of Members of Vietnam National Energy Industry Group, said that to build an ESG report, businesses need a very large source of data that is inherited over the years. Therefore, technology plays an extremely important role in this field.

Mr. Bui Minh Tien, Member of the Board of Members of Vietnam National Energy and Industry Group (Photo: Thanh Dong).

Mr. Tien cited the fact that some member units of the Vietnam National Energy Industry Group have built ESG reports that meet standards and have been independently audited. In which, technology has supported very effectively.

Highlighting the role of AI in ESG governance, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tho - Director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment ( Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ) analyzed: "ESG has many parameters and data. Therefore, AI will play a very important role in this issue".

From this reality, the members of the High-Level Council assessed that the ESG Vietnam Forum 2025 choosing the theme of Science and Technology and Driving Forces for Sustainable Development is very appropriate and timely.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tho - Director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Agriculture and Environment (Photo: Thanh Dong).

Supporting businesses to know and access the application of science and technology, AI tools in sustainable development, is emphasized by the council as one of the goals to aim for in the discussion programs.

“There are many AI applications that support sustainable development. We need to support businesses to know about these tools to monitor the environment, monitor society and manage sustainability,” Associate Professor Tho analyzed.

He also suggested that the seminar program should invite auditing or technology companies to share about AI integration so that small and medium-sized enterprises can easily build ESG reports.

“We must find a way to make ESG not a burden but a support tool,” said Associate Professor Tho.

Without a good understanding of AI, businesses can easily fall into the "technology trap"

Without a good understanding of AI, businesses can easily fall into the "technology trap" (Photo: Getty).

Along with the “leverage” for sustainable development, the members of the High-level Council emphasized an issue that needs to be conveyed and clarified in the Vietnam ESG Forum 2025: the risks when businesses apply AI to ESG implementation. Thereby, helping businesses have the right direction.

According to Dr. Le Thai Ha, a topic of concern is the legal barriers in applying AI to ESG, as many businesses currently face difficulties in ethics, intellectual property rights and easily fall into technological traps when using AI to enforce ESG.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Khang - Chairman of MK Group Board of Directors (Photo: Thanh Dong).

Sharing the same view, Mr. Nguyen Trong Khang - Chairman of the Board of Directors of MK Group commented that AI is an extremely powerful tool but is also very controversial and potentially risky.

“Ethical and responsibility issues when using AI in ESG need to be carefully analyzed. If not careful, businesses can easily fall into a state of violating the law. This is a new topic that needs to be clarified at the forum,” Mr. Khang suggested.

"Vietnam ESG Forum 2025: Science and technology and the driving force for sustainable development" aims to focus on one of the key factors to promote sustainable development in the new era: science and technology. This direction is consistent with the spirit of Resolution 57 of the Politburo, which is to take science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation as the driving force for development.

Bringing together scientists, business leaders, and policy makers, this year's forum focuses on harnessing the power of technology to solve major challenges.

The highlight of the event continues to be the Vietnam ESG Awards 2025, honoring and recognizing businesses with outstanding achievements in ESG implementation, especially in applying technology towards sustainable development.

With the success of Vietnam ESG Awards 2024, Vietnam ESG Awards 2025 will not only be a step to recognize efforts but also contribute to spreading the spirit of social responsibility, encouraging businesses to integrate ESG into their long-term business strategies.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/ai-la-gio-dong-nhung-doanh-nghiep-de-sap-bay-cong-nghe-neu-khong-nam-chac-20250724181939324.htm