Beauty queens and runners-up from Gen Z talk about artificial intelligence and a 'superficial lifestyle'.

'Don't forget to spend time with family and friends, with conversations that don't require Wi-Fi. See technology not just as a tool, but as an integral part of your life.'

The most beautiful girls of the beauty pageant final surprised and moved the audience when they spoke about family love in the age of artificial intelligence and the rise of technology.

This is the Miss SIU contest of Saigon International University 2025, themed "Gen Z in the Digital Age," with the final round taking place on the evening of April 12th.

From left to right: First runner-up Mai Nguyen Song Thu (Hotel Management major), Miss SIU Trang Gia Han (English Language major), and second runner-up Tran Thi Thanh Thao (English Language major).

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Having advanced through the preliminary and semi-final rounds, the 14 most outstanding contestants entered the final night, participating in the Vietnamese costume, ao dai, and evening gown segments.

Keep those conversations going even without Wi-Fi.

Ten beautiful girls were selected to compete in the presentation round with the question, "As a Gen Z in the digital age, what message do you want to convey?", and they presented arguments that were not only insightful but also moving, speaking about the most sacred feeling, family love, which is being threatened by technology.

Dang Thuy Hien (Logistics and Supply Chain Management major) shared: "As young people growing up amidst the rapid transformation of technology, social media, and the flat world , that doesn't mean we only live in a virtual world. Gen Z not only shares trends, but also shares concerns; not only pursues personal success, but also aspires to contribute the best things to the community and society."

Thúy Hiền believes that technology is merely a tool, while humans are the subjects. Therefore, we should utilize social media to share positive values ​​and use artificial intelligence to develop ourselves.

"Besides, don't forget to spend time with family and friends, with conversations that don't require Wi-Fi. Think of technology not just as a tool, but as something that touches the heart."

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Contestants looked elegant in the traditional Vietnamese dress (áo dài) segment.

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Student Tran Thi Thanh Thao (English language major) used the term "healing" to describe the impact of social media and technology on Gen Z.

Thảo asserted that social media and the internet open countless doors but also present unprecedented challenges.

"One of the most pressing issues is mental health. Every day we face pressures from society and constant self-comparison. 'Healing' is a journey that young people seem to have to go through to find balance, self-love, self-appreciation, and especially to find the voice of their soul," Thanh Thảo commented.

Meanwhile, candidate Truong Thuy Anh (business administration major) said that having grown up with technology, she understands that her generation is a bridge connecting tradition with modernity, and national cultural identity with global knowledge.

"Technology is the bridge, but it is the soul that truly touches people. No matter how much knowledge we acquire from the world, humility, compassion, and Vietnamese cultural identity remain the roots," Thuy Anh shared.

Technology is flawless.

During the Q&A round, Tran Thi Thanh Thao continued to demonstrate her confidence by presenting her views in both languages ​​regarding the "superficial lifestyle" of young people.

"What do you think about the phenomenon of some people living a superficial life to create a false image of their own value on the internet?" was the question the judges posed to Thảo.

The confident student countered: "The phenomenon of 'living a fake life' is actually very normal to me, it's just being exaggerated. I think that each of us has the right to share our moments on social media, and I believe that's not bad; we're just showing people how happy we are living on social media." With this answer, Thanh Thảo became the second runner-up of the competition.

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Evening gown competition

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When asked, "It is believed that due to modern technological life, the younger generation is gradually losing connection with their families, and the generation gap is widening, what is your perspective on this issue?", Mai Nguyen Song Thu (hotel management major) was not at all stumped.

Thu argues that technological advancements allow us to easily chat and connect with loved ones and friends who live far away. "However, this convenience has led many young people to become distant from their families because they feel that only virtual friends online truly connect with them. The problem isn't due to technological advancements, but rather our lack of understanding," Thu observes.

According to Thu, what Gen Z should do is use technology correctly and at the right time to become a tool to support and connect with their families. This answer helped Mai Nguyen Song Thu win first runner-up.

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Miss SIU Truong Gia Han

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The title of beauty queen went to Truong Gia Han, a student majoring in English language, after answering the question, "Given the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), are you worried about your future career prospects and why?".

Gia Han convinced the judges with her answer: "AI is a tool for self-development, not a complete replacement for humans. We can't be sure how far society will develop in the future, but I believe that in any era, feelings and emotions between people are the most important. Therefore, when doing any job, if we put our heart into it, if we are not dry and mechanical like AI, we can still succeed."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hoa-khoi-a-khoi-gen-z-noi-ve-tri-tue-nhan-tao-and-loi-song-phong-bat-185250413113409777.htm