Seize the opportunity to master AI technology

Vietnam’s domestic market of more than 100 million people is a “fertile land” for AI applications. The growing demand for digital transformation in key sectors such as finance, banking, e-commerce, healthcare, education and manufacturing is also creating a huge demand for AI solutions.

AI robots apply artificial intelligence technology to support automation in guiding and assisting people in carrying out administrative procedures. Photo: Nguyen Thang/VNA

Specifically, the financial industry is applying AI in data analysis, credit scoring, and fraud prevention; the medical industry uses AI in image diagnosis, supporting doctors in decision making. In manufacturing, AI is also integrated into automation systems, optimizing processes, improving productivity... The strong transformation of these economic sectors is not only the driving force for the development of AI but also a source of huge data, an important "input material" for AI.

However, in addition to the potential, the path to AI development in Vietnam still has many challenges. That is the problem of infrastructure. Currently, this infrastructure is still limited, forcing researchers and businesses to depend on foreign cloud computing services, causing costs and risks in data security. Next is the problem of data, but in Vietnam, high-quality, standardized and publicly available data sources are still very lacking. Disjointed, inconsistent data between industries and organizations is a major barrier to developing highly accurate AI models. In addition, Vietnam is also seriously lacking in highly qualified AI experts who are capable of leading large projects. The gap between training and practice is still a painful problem, as the curriculum is still heavy on theory, lacking practical projects and close connections with businesses.

Mr. Phan Dang Tuat, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Supporting Industries (VASI), who has extensive experience in promoting the development of domestic enterprises, shared that the world is facing too many uncertainties and technology enterprises, like supporting industry enterprises, are quite passive in moving and accessing new markets without support. VASI has repeatedly proposed that technology enterprises need policies to give them the opportunity to develop; in which, special attention should be paid to the Government's policy of providing support services, such as data centers, testing centers, and AI inspection so that they can have quality certificates, thereby joining the global game. Many countries have opened "factories" for enterprises to rent and test-develop products. In Vietnam, that really does not exist, which is a real disadvantage.

Faced with the above potentials and challenges, the Government has been demonstrating strong determination in creating a legal corridor and an ecosystem to support AI development.

In 2021, the Prime Minister approved the National Strategy on AI research, development and application until 2030. Accordingly, Vietnam will become one of the four leading countries in the ASEAN region and TOP50 in the world in AI research and application. This is an important "compass", creating a strategic vision and clear direction for the entire science and technology sector. Many key pillars need to be focused on during this period; specifically, building a national AI data and computing infrastructure system, perfecting the legal framework and specific policies, creating a favorable environment for AI research, development and application; building and developing high-quality human resources; promoting AI application in economic and social sectors and fields; establishing national AI research and development centers.

However, from strategy to reality is a process; to achieve the expected results, it is necessary to have the consensus of ministries, localities, associations, universities, especially the business community so that the Government's policies can be put into practice.

Mr. Dang Thanh Binh, Director of TCI Industrial Joint Stock Company (TCI), a unit specializing in machining machine parts and manufacturing automation machinery, with nearly 20 years of experience in the industry, said that from the perspective of an enterprise that is actively transforming, TCI sees that Vietnam has abundant human resources, but there is a large gap between training programs and practice. TCI spends a lot of time and money to retrain staff after graduation. If the Government has a policy to encourage universities to cooperate more closely with businesses, opening training programs according to actual needs, that will be a big step forward. Businesses also need to play an active role, not only looking for human resources but also proactively cooperating with research institutes to develop new products and solutions, especially applying AI to optimize processes.

From a perspective of a foreign-invested enterprise, Mr. Hamada Shogo, General Director of DAIWA Vietnam Co., Ltd., commented that Vietnam has very good export capacity. However, in addition to focusing on exports, Vietnam should also focus on researching and developing new products domestically, that is, helping to improve the research and development capacity of Vietnamese enterprises in the Vietnamese market. That will be one of the solid steps. If Vietnamese enterprises can master AI technology, research and develop "Made in Vietnam" AI products and solutions themselves, they will not only compete fairly but also be able to lead in certain fields.

Vietnam has all the elements to become an AI center in the region and the world. A young population, aspiration to rise, market dynamism and especially the strategic vision from the Government will be the "golden keys" to open a promising future. On that journey, the Government continues to perfect the legal corridor, create specific incentive policies, including policies on capital, tax, land and especially policies to support the development of high-performance computing infrastructure.

The establishment of national AI research and development centers where businesses can rent facilities and access big data sources is also an idea worth implementing. In parallel, the role of associations as a bridge to convey the voice from businesses, from the grassroots to the competent authorities.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/khoa-hoc-cong-nghe/nam-co-hoi-lam-chu-cong-nghe-ai-20251001084555750.htm