National Assembly Delegates from Nghe An share perspectives on social science development in the digital age

According to delegate Hoang Minh Hieu, in the context of rapidly developing technology, especially the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), which raises many complex social, legal and ethical issues, only social sciences can provide thorough and humane solutions to those challenges.

Scene of the working session on October 29 at Dien Hong Hall, National Assembly House. Photo: Nam An

On the morning of October 29, the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly continued its discussion in the hall. The working session was chaired by Comrade Tran Thanh Man - Politburo member, Chairman of the National Assembly; and led by Comrade Vu Hong Thanh - Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly.

The National Assembly delegation of Nghe An province included comrade Vo Thi Minh Sinh - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Nghe An province, Head of the National Assembly delegation of Nghe An province and delegates attending the meeting.

3 major limitations in the development of social sciences

Discussing the report on the implementation results of the socio-economic development plan for 2025 and the 5-year period 2021-2025 of the Government, Mr. Hoang Minh Hieu - Standing Member of the National Assembly's Law Committee, National Assembly delegate of Nghe An delegation highly appreciated the achieved results and the spirit of innovation in managing the country's development.

He said that the institutionalization and implementation of the Party's strategic guidelines and policies in recent times have created positive impacts, especially in the fields of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation. In 2025, Vietnam ranked 44/139 economies in the Global Innovation Index and 6/40 countries in the World AI Index.

Comrade Vo Thi Minh Sinh - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Nghe An province, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Nghe An province and delegates attended the meeting at Dien Hong Hall on the morning of October 29. Photo: Nam An

However, according to the delegate, to develop sustainably, Vietnam not only needs to invest in natural sciences and technology, but also needs to pay special attention to developing social sciences and humanities.

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“If natural science and technology help people “do more”, social science helps people “understand better” about themselves and the society they live in.”

National Assembly Delegate Hoang Minh Hieu

Analyzing further, delegate Hoang Minh Hieu pointed out 3 major limitations in the current development of social sciences. First of all, the connection between social science research results and policy making and socio-economic development still has many limitations.

The reality is that currently there is a situation where many social science research topics are not closely linked to the real needs of life and the State's policy making. Social science research often stops at the level of publishing results without being converted into specific and effective policies or solutions.

In addition, policy making in some cases has not yet made full use of social science research results as a tool for policy design and social impact measurement.

Second, the financial mechanism and organization of social science research are not flexible and do not create motivation for research activities. Many policies and strategies for science and technology development in our country up to now have been basically built for both natural sciences and social sciences, but often originate from the reality and requirements of natural sciences and technology rather than social sciences and humanities.

“Meanwhile, social sciences study people and social relationships, which are always changing and linked to values, culture, and political context. Therefore, the approach of social sciences cannot be applied similarly to that of natural science models, but requires a more flexible funding, assessment, recognition and implementation mechanism, based on academic quality and social value, not just on the commercialization of research results,” the delegate from Nghe An said.

Third, data infrastructure, research methods, and digital transformation for social sciences are still slow to innovate. Traditional research methods are still dominant, and have not really shifted strongly to modern research methods.

Data digitization, data standardization for research, and application of new research methods still face many barriers such as scattered and unstandardized research data systems and inadequate analysis skills.

Need for social science development strategy suitable to new context

According to delegate Hoang Minh Hieu, in the context of rapid technological development, especially with the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), social, legal and ethical issues raised by technology are increasingly complex and urgent.

He raised a series of questions that only social science can answer: “Who owns the products created by AI; how can AI not create discrimination; what ethical issues will be raised by allowing AI to make life-or-death decisions without human intervention; or who will be legally responsible for risks arising during the use of AI, the user of AI or the person who created the algorithm for the AI ​​system…”.

Mr. Hoang Minh Hieu - Standing Member of the National Assembly's Law Committee, National Assembly Delegate of Nghe An Delegation spoke at the discussion. Photo: Nam An

From that reality, the Nghe An delegation recommended that the Government should have a social science development strategy suitable to the new context. First of all, it is necessary to research and develop key social science and humanities development programs, focusing on new issues, associated with the development of new technologies to serve socio-economic development such as legal issues for the use of new technologies, digital sociology research, newly emerging non-traditional security issues, etc.

Next, it is necessary to innovate the financial mechanism and evaluation of social sciences, apply the mechanism for State agencies to order social science research to serve the planning of specific policies; continue to innovate the policy planning process to increase the scientific content in decision-making. Diversify the forms of publication and recognition of the value of research such as in the form of policy reports, legal advice, social data, etc.; increase funding for social science topics with high practical application without only evaluating based on the number of articles publishing research results.

The delegate also emphasized the task of developing high-quality human resources in social sciences such as increasing investment in postgraduate training and international cooperation. There is a policy to promote social scientists with courage and intelligence, who have contributed to the process of formulating policies for the country's socio-economic development.

Another requirement mentioned by Mr. Hoang Minh Hieu is the need to build a social data infrastructure and academic ecosystem for social sciences, bringing digital transformation into social science research methods, from big data analysis, social simulation, to systematizing cultural knowledge.

Finally, the delegate from Nghe An emphasized the role of connecting and strengthening the link between social sciences and natural sciences, for example, the issue of “artificial intelligence and law” mentioned above, or studying the social impact and community needs when implementing digital transformation projects in certain areas. “This is the “intersection” where social sciences provide a framework of values ​​and institutions to ensure that technology develops in the right direction,” he said./.

Source: https://baonghean.vn/dai-bieu-quoc-hoi-doan-nghe-an-chia-se-goc-nhin-phat-trien-khoa-hoc-xa-hoi-trong-ky-nguyen-so-10309575.html