'Open-source AI ecosystem will help small countries master technology'

Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung affirmed that Vietnam encourages the development of open-source AI, because this is an opportunity for small countries to master and apply advanced technologies.

From October 27-29, Vietnam International Digital Week 2025 (VIDW 2025) took place in Ninh Binh and Hanoi. The event was chaired by the Ministry of Science and Technology in coordination with the People's Committee of Ninh Binh province.

This year's event highlights strategies, policies and legal frameworks to ensure the development and governance of AI in a safe, transparent and responsible manner.

Digital Week is an annual international event, gathering about 800 domestic and international delegates, including ministerial leaders, heads of delegations from ASEAN countries, strategic partners such as the United States, Korea, Australia... leaders of international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), World Bank (WB)...

Vietnam International Digital Week 2025 (VIDW 2025) took place in Ninh Binh and Hanoi, attracting about 800 domestic and international delegates.

Vietnam promotes open-source AI ecosystem

Speaking at the event, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized that artificial intelligence must walk a “narrow corridor” – between chaos and control, between freedom and fear.

Our job is not to slow down innovation, but to guide it with wisdom and responsibility.

A strong state must protect human values, while an open society must encourage creativity and dialogue. Only when kept within this “narrow corridor” can AI truly serve humanity.

Minister Nguyen Manh Hung said that walking in the “narrow corridor” is the art of balance: between global and local, cooperation and sovereignty, large technology corporations and startups, between technology and application, between use and mastery, between innovation and control, between global infrastructure and national infrastructure, between open data and protected data, between general AI and specialized AI.

The open-source AI ecosystem will help small countries and startups develop and master advanced technology together.

Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized that artificial intelligence must walk a “narrow corridor” – between chaos and control, between freedom and fear. Our task is not to slow down innovation, but to guide it with wisdom and responsibility.

Commenting on Vietnam at this event, Mr. Johnathan Banker, representative of UNESCO, said that Vietnam has developed AI very impressively and ranks 26th in the world.

Vietnam is a country with strong digital infrastructure development, a high rate of Internet and Smartphone users, and has potential for development in the field of AI.

However, Mr. Johnathan Banker emphasized that Vietnam needs to ensure information data security and invest more strongly in data centers and AI.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Pham Quang Ngoc, Chairman of Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee, said that the development goal of Ninh Binh province by 2030 is to become a centrally-run city with modern industry, high-quality tourism services, a green urban area associated with heritage, and be among the leading localities in the country in terms of growth rate and per capita income.

Ninh Binh is ready to access and apply advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to solve specific local problems.

Mr. Pham Quang Ngoc said that Ninh Binh identified Vietnam International Digital Week 2025 as a valuable opportunity to learn, share experiences, expand cooperation connections with leading domestic and international experts, organizations and technology corporations, and at the same time attract investment resources for high-tech development and digital transformation of the locality.

Mr. Pham Quang Ngoc, Chairman of Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee, said that the locality identified Vietnam International Digital Week 2025 as a valuable opportunity to learn, share experiences, and expand cooperation with leading domestic and international experts, organizations, and technology corporations.

AI governance initiatives and policies on the agenda

The Ministerial Roundtable on Artificial Intelligence Governance held on the morning of October 27 was the highlight of the program. The goal of the Conference is to create a high-level forum for stakeholders to share experiences, initiatives and policies on responsible AI governance. The Conference will contribute to affirming Vietnam's proactive role, initiatives and commitments in international cooperation on science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

At the event, there will be an outdoor technology display introducing innovative products and solutions in the field of digital transformation and AI of Vietnamese technology enterprises.

This is an opportunity for delegates and businesses attending the event to experience new technologies, while opening up cooperation and investment opportunities for Vietnamese and international technology businesses.

Self-driving cars were demonstrated at the event.

Within the framework of the event, conferences, seminars and forums will be held, focusing on 6 key topics on 5G, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, digital human resources and digital technology enterprises.

Notable seminars and forums include: Vietnam - European Union Digital Cooperation Forum, Vietnam Digital Partnership Forum - Digital Cooperation Organization, Workshop on sustainable telecommunications infrastructure development, ASEAN Conference on 5G and Regional Workshop on AI-based digital transformation... In parallel, there are business connection activities, creating opportunities for participating units to seek cooperation and investment opportunities.

At Vietnam International Digital Week 2025, bilateral meetings and cultural and diplomatic activities took place, contributing to promoting the image of Vietnam and Ninh Binh province to international friends.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/he-sinh-thai-ai-nguon-mo-se-giup-cac-quoc-gia-nho-lam-chu-cong-nghe-2456677.html