Serious AI talent shortage: Banks must join hands with universities

Currently, the market lacks 150,000-200,000 technology workers each year, especially AI workers in the banking sector. Experts say that to solve this problem, banks and training institutions need to join hands.

At the seminar "Human resource development in the AI ​​era" organized by Banking Times in collaboration with the Banking Academy on the morning of August 10, Dr. Phan Thanh Duc - Senior Lecturer, Head of the Faculty of Information Technology and Digital Economics , Banking Academy said that the demand for human resources in the field of AI in Vietnam is growing rapidly but the supply has not met both quantity and quality.

Currently, the market lacks 150,000 to 200,000 technology workers each year, of which the AI ​​specialist group is the most seriously short. In the period 2025-2030, the demand for AI personnel is expected to increase by 74%, focusing on areas such as data science , AI operation engineers, cybersecurity, and especially experts with experience in real-life deployment.

Dr. Phan Thanh Duc - Senior Lecturer, Head of Information Technology and Digital Economics Department, Banking Academy

"In the banking industry, AI human resources are increasingly playing a key role in positions such as data management, risk modeling, fraud, digital customers and compliance. Highly specialized positions - from data engineers, data scientists, machine learning (ML/DL) experts to GenAI/NLP experts serving smart call centers, summarizing credit records, or extracting documents are being actively sought by credit institutions. Along with that is the great demand for model risk experts, AI security and compliance control, ensuring transparency, safety and compliance with legal regulations in operating AI models", said Dr. Phan Thanh Duc.

According to experts, the quality of human resources in the Vietnamese banking industry is uneven. A part of the workforce is still limited in digital skills, especially in data analysis, system administration and AI application... To ensure a quality human resource supply to meet the needs of the digital age, training schools need to innovate their curricula, increase digital technology knowledge, update courses on data analysis, fintech, financial AI and cybersecurity... but banks themselves must also get involved.

Associate Professor Dr. Pham Thi Hoang Anh - Deputy Director of the Academy in charge of the Board of Directors of the Banking Academy, said that developing digital human resources is a task that cannot be done alone, requiring close coordination between the State Bank, training institutions and businesses. The support of credit institutions in ordering training, sharing experiences, creating internship opportunities for students... will help form a team of young human resources with knowledge, skills and courage to master technology in the digital age.

"Innovation in programs, teaching methods and close cooperation between banks and universities and specialized training institutions are the foundation for building a banking workforce with digital thinking, technology mastery and flexible adaptation - key factors helping the Vietnamese banking industry pioneer innovation and sustainable development in the AI ​​era", Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Thi Hoang Anh commented.

On the banks' side, Agribank representative shared that, with the characteristics of being the largest state-owned commercial bank in terms of network and personnel, serving mainly rural areas, Agribank has devoted large resources to investing in technology, spreading digital culture throughout the system and building a separate salary policy for IT staff.

Meanwhile, Vietcombank also said it is focusing on developing a systematic human resource strategy, cooperating with international consulting organizations such as BCG and KPMG to build a capacity framework, perfect the governance model and streamlined and efficient operating processes. The bank also implements a transparent salary and bonus policy, comprehensive benefits...

Banks all said that focusing on investing in human resource development is always linked to the banks' long-term development strategy and will continue to cooperate with training institutions to contribute to improving the quality of training human resources in the banking industry.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/thieu-hut-nghiem-trong-nhan-luc-ve-ai-ngan-hang-phai-bat-tay-voi-truong-dai-hoc-d406577.html