Launching an AI competition to find real-time translation solutions.

VTV.vn - The OneVoice AI Challenger is a competition aimed at developing real-time bilingual translation solutions on hardware devices, rather than relying on an internet connection.

Within the framework of the competition, participating teams will develop prototypes that operate on handheld edge devices (Edge AI), processing language directly on the hardware. The competition focuses on three common language pairs in the region: Vietnamese-English, Vietnamese-Chinese, and Vietnamese-Korean, aiming to support natural bilingual conversations with low latency, even in environments without internet connectivity and cloud computing.

The competition is an open platform for the global AI community. Researchers, startups, and engineers from many countries can experiment with new approaches to high-value Edge AI applications.

Reduce communication barriers in environments with limited connectivity.

Language barriers remain a major challenge for the workforce in many Asian economies . According to ManpowerGroup's Total Workforce Index 2022 report, only about 5% of Vietnamese workers have sufficient English proficiency for professional work, significantly lower than other non-English speaking ASEAN countries such as Indonesia (10%), Malaysia (21%), and Thailand (27%).

In manufacturing, construction, and logistics industries, the ability to communicate quickly and accurately directly impacts the productivity, training efficiency, and workplace safety of multinational workforces. However, many current work environments still lack stable connectivity infrastructure, significantly limiting the effectiveness of cloud-based translation tools.

Through the OneVoice AI Challenge, the organizers hope to promote AI solutions capable of supporting multilingual communication directly on devices, thereby making the application of AI in real-world work environments more stable and accessible.

Promoting AI through multilateral collaboration.

The OneVoice AI Challenge brings together many stakeholders within the regional AI R&D ecosystem. Saigon AI Hub serves as the main organizer, with contributions from experts and researchers from VNG and VNU-HCM. Qualcomm participates as a strategic technology partner, providing the hardware platform and technical support for the entire program.

Mr. Le Hong Minh, Founder and Chairman of VNG

Sharing his thoughts on this initiative, Mr. Le Hong Minh, Founder and Chairman of VNG, said: "Most current AI systems are designed for use in near-ideal conditions, such as stable network connectivity, powerful computing infrastructure, and a controlled environment. But in reality, many workplaces lack those conditions. The OneVoice AI Challenge started with a simple question: If AI is truly useful, can it function well in such environments? If we can solve that problem, AI will have the opportunity to create value in more real-world contexts."

Mr. ST Liew, Vice President and President of Qualcomm Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, further shared: "AI can only reach its full potential when it becomes accessible and reliably integrated into daily life. On-device AI processing enables real-time responses, enhances data security, and reduces reliance on network connectivity. These are particularly important factors in many application scenarios in Southeast Asia. Through initiatives like the OneVoice AI Challenge, we expect to collaborate with the technology community to find on-device AI solutions that not only address communication challenges and improve productivity but also have the potential to scale up and create positive change."

Mr. ST Liew, Vice President and President of Qualcomm Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand

Initiatives like the OneVoice AI Challenge are expected to accelerate the process of bringing AI from research into practical applications. Connecting technology companies, research organizations, and the development community also facilitates the rapid testing, refinement, and deployment of AI solutions in practice.

In the long term, platforms like the Saigon AI Hub are expected to contribute to making Vietnam an emerging AI R&D hub in the region, attracting international researchers and engineers to solve practical problems in Asia.

Mr. Vo Trong Thu – Representative of the Organizing Committee – explained the rules of the OneVoice AI Challenge competition.

The competition will open for registration from May 22nd to June 22nd. Participating teams will go through online rounds including registration and submission of technical documents, prototype development, and live rounds including real-world testing before entering the final round taking place in Ho Chi Minh City in November 2026 with a total prize value of up to 1.3 billion VND.

Source: https://vtv.vn/phat-dong-cuoc-thi-ai-tim-kiem-giai-phap-dich-thuat-thoi-gian-thuc-100260525110707744.htm