AI development key for economy: experts

Vietnam should use artificial intelligence in more areas to boost productivity and to improve people’s lives, experts have said.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy told a recent conference that AI had been receiving more and more attention in recent years, and, along with other modern technologies (such as big data and cloud computing), was changing people's lives and business activities.

COVID-19 was creating a push for faster digital transformation, and companies and researchers should consider how using AI solutions could help a recovery after the pandemic, he said.

Nguyen Viet Dung, director of the HCM City Department of Science and Technology, said the city was among the first in Vietnam to issue a programme to facilitate digital transformation, focusing on promoting AI usage.

AI development can facilitate economic development, and good workforce training is among the key factors for developing AI, according to experts (Photo: svvn.tienphong.vn)
AI development can facilitate economic development, and good workforce training is among the key factors for developing AI, according to experts (Photo: svvn.tienphong.vn)

Dr Stefan Hajkowicz of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation said AI could be used in many areas, pointing to how Australia did so in agriculture, mining and aviation.

It helped boost productivity, save labour cost and minimise risks to human workers.

Dr Dongwha Kum, director of the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology, said innovation would be important in order not to lag behind, and instead of looking for new technologies, Vietnam could look for new ways of using AI.

For instance, Korea had developed face-analysis system Poliface, which uses AI to help families look for children who went missing many years ago, and a Korean business was using AI to quickly manufacture COVID-19 test kits.

Yoshua Bengio, co-founder of Canadian AI company Element AI, said technology would be linked closer with economic development in the future, and so workers in the field of AI would need a good foundation in maths and computer science.

Assoc Prof Tran Minh Triet of the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City said a wide range of data should be collected from users to better develop AI systems, citing the example of how data about students could be gathered from e-learning platforms to tailor education programmes.

AI development strategies in other countries mostly targeted solving of social problems and improve the lives of people, the business climate and the labour market, he said.

Dung hoped that government agencies, AI researchers and the international community would work together to help HCM City become a smart city in which AI would be used in many areas such as administration, public services and business activities.

The conference was held by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the HCM City People's Committee, and online newspaper VnExpress.

VNA

Other News

Vietnam targets at least 10 large strategic technology firms by 2030

Vietnam targets at least 10 large strategic technology firms by 2030

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung has signed a decision approving a plan to develop large domestic strategic technology enterprises in the 2026–2030 period, aimed at advancing digital infrastructure, digital human resources, digital data, strategic technologies and cybersecurity.

Protecting users crucial in building digital trust: Experts

Protecting users crucial in building digital trust: Experts

In Vietnam, digital transformation in the finance and banking sector is accelerating cashless payments, expanding access to financial services, improving market transparency and supporting economic growth and macroeconomic management.

Fostering skilled workforce for innovation era: experts

Fostering skilled workforce for innovation era: experts

Experts said close coordination among State management agencies, research institutes, universities, and businesses will improve training quality and serve the dual goals of quality education and practical research application.

Startup forum bridges Silicon Valley and local innovation ecosystem

Startup forum bridges Silicon Valley and local innovation ecosystem

The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Saigon Asset Management (SAM), and Plug and Play Tech Centre co-hosted the “From Vietnam to Silicon Valley” forum, exploring AI innovation, venture capital, and pathways to integrate Vietnam’s startup ecosystem with Silicon Valley and global markets.

Experts call for stronger action against fake news online

Experts call for stronger action against fake news online

Experts have warned that fake news, misinformation and harmful online content are increasingly shaping public perceptions, particularly among young people, and stressed the need for stronger legal safeguards, technology tools and wider dissemination of credible information to tackle the problem effectively.

Protecting digital future in post-quantum, AI era

Protecting digital future in post-quantum, AI era

Participants highlighted the importance of building a proactive, synchronised and sustainable national cybersecurity ecosystem through closer cooperation among regulators, technology firms, research institutions and cybersecurity experts.

Vietnam attends SAHA 2026 defence, aerospace exhibition in Türkiye

Vietnam attends SAHA 2026 defence, aerospace exhibition in Türkiye

Vietnam’s participation in SAHA 2026 International Defence & Aerospace Exhibition in Istanbul reflects the country’s consistent policy of enhancing international defence integration and promoting defence industry cooperation towards self-reliance, self-strengthening, modernisation and dual-use development.

SK Group partners to build AI ecosystem in Vietnam

SK Group partners to build AI ecosystem in Vietnam

SK Innovation and SK Telecom signed MoUs with Nghe An province and the National Innovation Centre of Vietnam to advance AI ecosystem development and support the country’s long-term growth strategy.

Vietnam Research Excellence Fellowship for 2026-2030 approved

Vietnam Research Excellence Fellowship for 2026-2030 approved

Under the Vietnam Research Excellence Fellowship (VREF) for the 2026–2030 period, PhD students are identified as a core research force directly contributing to breakthroughs in sci-tech and innovation. Investing in top-tier doctoral candidates is more than workforce development, but a high-stakes strategic bet to forge a cohort of world-class scientists and technologists who can power Vietnam’s long-term economic ambitions.