Vietnam is in a special position to lead artificial intelligence (AI) innovation in Southeast Asia, said Nguyen Duc Toan, Country Director of Google Cloud, at the GenAI Summit 2024, which opened in Ho Chi Minh City on August 19.
Vietnam to lead AI innovation in Southeast Asia (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam is in a special position to lead artificial intelligence (AI) innovation in Southeast Asia, said Nguyen Duc Toan, Country Director of Google Cloud, at the GenAI Summit 2024, which opened in Ho Chi Minh City on August 19.
To make Vietnam a global AI hub, there must be a concerted effort among universities, businesses, and the government to build a robust AI ecosystem, he said, adding this collaboration is crucial as Vietnam is projected to need 100,000 additional AI professionals over the next five years to meet growing market demand.
AI experts said Vietnam holds significant advantages in AI development thanks to its favourable market conditions, abundant human resources, and a dynamic startup ecosystem. However, it is facing challenges related to low labour costs and the need for investment in AI education and training to increase competitiveness, they noted.
Le Viet Quoc, a senior expert at Google, stated that the Vietnamese government has implemented various policies to encourage startups and technology investments, creating a conducive environment for AI enterprises to thrive and compete on the international stage.
On the global front, Vietnam has cooperated with major technology companies like Google, which is heavily investing in the development of future AI talent. Google has pledged 40,000 scholarships through its Google Career Certificates programme to equip Vietnamese professionals with essential skills.
Additionally, Google also vowed to train 200 Vietnamese startups in AI-related fields through its Google AI Startups Masterclass programme. This initiative aims not only to develop a high-quality workforce but also to create significant opportunities for startups in the AI sector.
Vietnam’s startup ecosystem attracted over $1 billion in investments in 2023, with its growth now rivaling that of Singapore and Malaysia.
Experts also believed that Vietnam’s stron🦄g educational foundation, particularly in mathematics and science, provides a solid base for AI development. Vietnamese students consistently excel at international maths competitions, demonstrating the logical thinking and problem-solving abilities that are crucial for AI advance♌ment./.
Vietnam Artificial Intelligence Day (AI4VN) 2024 is themed “Unlock the Power of Generative AI”, and is scheduled to take place at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi on August 23.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
The week features a rich lineup of activities, including a plenary conference on blockchain and AI development, thematic seminars on future technology trends and investment visions, applications of blockchain and AI in business, the Super Vietnam PitchFest, as well as forums for blockchain and AI.
According to the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, on making breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, this is considered a decisive factor in the development of nations. It is seen as a prerequisite and the best opportunity for Vietnam to become prosperous and powerful in the new era of the nation’s rise.
Vietnam’s demographic advantage, including a youthful population of 100 million in a “golden age”, further bolsters its ambitions. Its dynamic workforce, with a natural inclination toward science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), is a key asset in attracting private investment to innovation-driven sectors.
Vietnam views sci-tech as a decisive factor in national development and a key tool for achieving sustainable development goals, and is ready to boost sci-tech cooperation with Venezuela for mutual prosperity.
The Government will always accompany companies, including CMC, and request ministries, agencies, and Hanoi authorities to further support them by promptly removing any obstacles to their growth, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
