Harmonious development between science and society.
Delegate Hoang Minh Hieu noted that the institutionalization and implementation of the Party's strategic guidelines and policies in recent years have had a positive impact on the country's socio -economic development. Breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation have contributed to enhancing Vietnam's position on the international stage.
“By 2025, Vietnam will maintain its ranking of 44th out of 139 economies in the Global Innovation Index, and 6th out of 40 countries in the World AI Index. These are positive signs, reflecting the government's efforts and correct direction in developing a knowledge- and technology-based economy,” the delegate stated.
However, for the sustainable development of the country, delegates argued that, in addition to developing science and technology, it is also necessary to focus on developing social sciences and humanities. From a certain perspective, it can be said that while natural sciences and technology help people "do more," social sciences help people "understand themselves better" and the society they live in.
.jpg)
According to the delegates, while Vietnam's social sciences have achieved many successes in recent years, they also face numerous challenges, such as the limited connection between the results of social science research and policy planning and socio-economic development.
One of the prominent issues is the limited connection between social science research and policy planning and socio-economic development. Many social science research projects often only publish their results without being translated into specific, effective policies or solutions. Furthermore, in some cases, policy-making does not fully utilize the results of social science research as a tool for policy design and measuring social impact.
Furthermore, the financial and organizational mechanisms for social science research are not flexible enough and do not provide sufficient motivation for research activities. Many policies and strategies for the development of science and technology in our country to date are basically formulated for both natural and social sciences, but often stem from the realities and requirements of natural sciences and technology rather than social sciences and humanities.
Meanwhile, social science studies human beings and social relationships – which are constantly changing and intertwined with values, culture, and political contexts.
"Therefore, the social science approach cannot be applied similarly to models from natural sciences. It requires more flexible funding, evaluation, recognition, and implementation mechanisms based on academic quality and social value, rather than solely on the commercialization of research results," Representative Hoang Minh Hieu emphasized.
Another issue raised by delegates was the slow pace of innovation in data infrastructure, research methods, and digital transformation for social sciences. Traditional research methods remain dominant, and there hasn't been a strong shift towards modern research methods. Digitizing and standardizing data for research and applying new methods still face many obstacles: research data systems are fragmented and not standardized, and analytical skills are still inadequate.
Social sciences facing the challenges of new technologies.
Delegate Hoang Minh Hieu emphasized that, in the current context, alongside the rapid development of science and technology with the emergence of many new technologies, the need to discover, explain, and propose solutions to social, legal, ethical, and human value issues posed by new technologies is very urgent.
.jpg)
For example, artificial intelligence is the result of long-term research in the field of computer science, but it comes with a series of social problems. These include questions such as: who owns the products created by AI; how to prevent AI systems from creating discrimination; what ethical issues will arise from allowing AI systems to make life-or-death decisions without human intervention; and who will be held legally responsible for risks arising from the use of AI systems – the AI user or the creator of the AI algorithm? "These questions fall within the purview of social science," Representative Hoang Minh Hieu emphasized.
Based on that experience, the delegates proposed that the Government, in the coming period, research, invest in, and develop social sciences in line with the new context, focusing on the following groups of solutions:
Firstly, research should be conducted to develop key social science and humanities development programs that focus on new issues linked to the development of new technologies serving socio-economic development, such as legal issues regarding the use of new technologies, digital sociology research, and emerging non-traditional security issues.
Secondly, we need to innovate the financial and evaluation mechanisms for social sciences, applying a mechanism where state agencies commission social science research to serve the planning of specific policies; and continue to innovate the policy-making process to enhance the scientific content in decision-making. We should diversify the forms of publication and recognition of research value, such as policy reports, legal advice, and social data; and increase funding for social science projects with high practical application, rather than solely evaluating them based on the number of published research papers.
Thirdly, there are solutions for developing high-quality human resources in social sciences, such as increasing investment in postgraduate training and international cooperation. There should be policies to value social scientists who are capable, intelligent, and have made significant contributions to the process of formulating socio-economic development policies for the country.
Fourth, build social data infrastructure and a digital academic ecosystem for social sciences, integrating digital transformation into social science research methodologies – from big data analysis and social simulation to the systematization of cultural knowledge.
Fifth, strengthen the links between social sciences and natural sciences, for example, the issue of "artificial intelligence and law" mentioned above, or research on the social impact and community needs when implementing digital transformation projects in specific areas... This is the "intersection" – where social sciences provide the value framework and institutions to ensure that technology develops in the right direction.
Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/phat-trien-khoa-hoc-xa-hoi-de-bao-dam-phat-trien-ben-vung-dat-nuoc-10393441.html
Comment (0)