DNVN - Vietnam has had a national strategy for AI research, development and application quite early, but lacks the resources to implement it in detail. Experts say that a national steering committee on AI is needed to coordinate resources, optimize strategies, and maximize the power of AI to promote economic growth and innovation.
Vietnam is emerging as a country with strong potential in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), thanks to its strategic vision and young population advantage. Mr. Do Tien Thinh - Deputy Director of the National Innovation Center (NIC) affirmed that the Government and the Prime Minister have soon recognized the opportunities from AI, demonstrated by the issuance of the National Strategy on Research, Development and Application of AI to 2030 since 2021. This is an important step, laying the foundation for the development and application of this technology in all aspects of the socio-economy.
Vietnam is taking advantage of a young and tech-savvy population, with 70% of its population under the age of 35. In particular, Vietnam’s internet economy is the second fastest growing in Southeast Asia, creating ideal conditions for AI adoption.
It is forecasted that by 2030, digital technology, including AI, will contribute 27% of GDP, equivalent to VND 1,733 trillion, equivalent to about USD 74 billion. In the agricultural sector, AI and technologies such as blockchain can contribute more than VND 302 trillion to the economy, helping to increase productivity and optimize production.
"These figures not only affirm the importance of AI but also emphasize Vietnam's role in leading the region in applying digital technology," Mr. Thinh emphasized.
Delegates visit the booth introducing AI products within the framework of Vietnam Artificial Intelligence Day 2024 - AI4VN 2024.
According to experts, Vietnam's AI ecosystem is also making encouraging progress. Citing a recently published report, Mr. Thinh said that Vietnam currently ranks second in Southeast Asia in terms of the number of startups in the AI field, just behind Singapore and far ahead of countries like Malaysia and Thailand. Vietnamese businesses have quickly seized this opportunity, applying AI in many areas such as food delivery, precision agricultural equipment, remote medical examination and treatment, and even in forecasting natural disasters. These applications not only bring economic efficiency but also improve the quality of life of people.
However, the Deputy Director of NIC commented that the rapid development of AI also poses many significant challenges. Some traditional professions such as advertising, translation, architectural design, and music production are facing major changes due to AI. AI applications are increasingly popular, allowing users to create products themselves instead of needing specialized human resources. This could lead to the decline or even disappearance of some professions, raising big questions about the future of the labor market.
Another major challenge is the increasingly fierce cross-border competition in the field of information technology and AI. Vietnam’s AI ecosystem is under competitive pressure from more developed countries, while domestic resources are still limited. Although there is a national AI strategy, detailed implementation at the local and industry levels is still facing many difficulties.
To overcome these challenges, Mr. Thinh emphasized the importance of building a flexible AI strategy that is suitable for each locality as well as each business. He said that there is no general model that can be applied everywhere, because each province and each industry has its own characteristics. For example, the AI strategy in Ho Chi Minh City will be different from that in Hanoi or in provinces with agricultural characteristics such as Ninh Binh.
According to Mr. Thinh, one of the top priorities now is to promote AI applications in the public sector, where there is still a large gap compared to the private sector. Most national databases on businesses, taxes, customs, environment, and planning have not yet been integrated with AI, causing a waste of data resources. The government is preparing to submit to the National Assembly the Data Law to encourage data sharing between the public and private sectors, creating a foundation for more comprehensive AI development.
In addition, Vietnam is also focusing on developing AI human resources through training and skill improvement programs. Large corporations such as FPT have taken the lead in training and recruiting thousands of IT engineers each year. This is an opportunity for Vietnam to not only develop domestic human resources but also increase its competitiveness in the international market. Vietnam's strategy to improve labor capacity focuses on short-term training programs to quickly meet market needs.
In addition, creating a favorable environment for AI is also receiving special attention. The government is actively building "sandboxes" - controlled testing environments - to provide space for AI businesses and startups to develop. Over the past two years, discussions on sandboxes and amending data-related laws have become a focus of the National Assembly's agenda.
"With current potential and opportunities, Vietnam needs a national steering committee on AI to coordinate resources and optimize strategies. This is an important step to turn Vietnam into one of the leading technology hubs in the region, making the most of the power of AI to promote economic growth and innovation," the expert recommended.
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Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/cong-nghe/kien-nghi-lap-ban-chi-dao-quoc-gia-ve-ai-de-thuc-day-doi-moi-sang-tao/20241116044249176
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