Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way we live and work, driving automation, improving efficiency, and providing businesses with a competitive edge through machine learning, natural language processing, and other AI techniques.

While AI development has traditionally been dominated by the US and China, other countries are now investing heavily in AI research and development, and Vietnam is no exception. With its rapidly growing economy, strong government support, and a young, tech-savvy population, Vietnam is quickly becoming a hub for AI innovation.

This article provides an in-depth look at the current state of AI in Vietnam, its impact on various industries, and the national strategy for AI research and development. We will also explore the challenges of AI adoption and what the future holds for this dynamic field.

The Growth of Artificial Intelligence in Vietnam

Vietnam’s IT workforce is experiencing rapid growth, with over 400,000 professionals working in fields such as software development, cybersecurity, and data science. This strong foundation has enabled Vietnam to emerge as a significant player in the global AI landscape. The tech sector's recent proliferation has attracted substantial attention from investors, with Vietnam's digital economy projected to reach $43 billion by 2025, according to a report by Google and Temasek, with AI playing a crucial role.

OpenGov Asia ranked Vietnam 6th among 10 ASEAN members and 55th globally in the 2022 Government AI Readiness Index, with a score of 53.96, above the global average of 44.61.

AI Status in Vietnam

AI startups are given opportunities to build AI products and services and are strongly encouraged to do so. Businesses like VinAI Research, FPT.AI, Viettel Cyber Security, and Neurond AI are at the forefront of creating cutting-edge AI solutions for many industries. Many helpful artificial intelligence (AI) solutions have been created, greatly benefiting people in a variety of fields, including healthcare, finance, logistics, and more.

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- FPT.AI Conversation: An automated communication platform for customer interaction.

- FPT.AI Speech: A tool for converting text to speech and vice versa, tailored to Vietnamese dialects and communication culture.

- VinAI Smart Mobility: Combines in-car monitoring with surrounding sensory systems to revolutionize the automotive industry.

- Neurond AI’s Dr.Parser: Extracts information from resumes in image and PDF formats.

- Neurond Assistant: Solves tasks such as composing emails, essays, and code using advanced machine learning, NLP, and computer vision technologies.

Vietnam’s Strategies for AI Development

Vietnam, a country with enormous internal potential, has advanced rapidly in building its digital infrastructure to keep up with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the wave of artificial intelligence, and global technology.

In essence, the nation in Southeast Asia offers broad access to broadband internet. This provides more chances to use online outsourcing platforms to scale up task-based work.

Since 2014, Vietnam has placed a strong priority on investing in and developing artificial intelligence. For this reason, the Ministry of Planning and Investment was tasked by the government with creating a "National Strategy for the 4.0 Industrial Revolution."

The Vietnamese government has also acknowledged the significance of AI. They have taken action to aid in its development by launching programs like Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park and the National Innovation Center (NIC).

National Strategy on R&D and Application of AI

The Vietnamese government unveiled a National Strategy on Research and Development (R&D) and Application of AI in 2019 after realizing the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to propel the country's economy. By 2030, the goal of the policy is for Vietnam to become a key player in the global tech economy and a hub for AI research and development in Southeast Asia. Key objectives include:

• Developing AI human resources.
• Enhancing digital infrastructure.
• Supporting startups and businesses in AI applications.
• Promoting innovation policies.
• Increasing public awareness of AI benefits.
• Collaborating with foreign partners for knowledge and technology exchange.

Plan for AI R&D by the Ministry of Science and Technology

Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology has introduced a strategic plan for AI Research and Development (R&D), focusing on fostering innovation and accelerating technological advancement from 2018 to 2025. The plan aims to:

• Develop a specialized AI workforce.
• Build advanced infrastructure to support R&D activities.
• Promote collaboration between universities, research institutes, and businesses on AI projects.

Obstacles to Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Vietnam

Despite the significant potential for AI development in Vietnam, several challenges persist.

One major issue is the shortage of a skilled workforce for AI development and application. The demand for AI specialists is growing, but there are limited educational programs or training courses available to equip the younger generation with these skills. This talent gap is slowing industry progress.

Additionally, investors are concerned about data privacy and security. The government has yet to establish clear regulations and policies on developing and using AI safely and ethically, especially concerning sensitive data such as healthcare records and financial information.

Access to quality data is another significant challenge. High-quality data sets are essential for improving machine learning models and creating accurate AI predictions. However, many Vietnamese firms struggle to obtain this data due to inadequate infrastructure.

Although Vietnam's growth rate has been impressive in recent years, it lags behind China and the US in funding for AI-related R&D, which can hinder progress.

Finally, public acceptance of new technologies, such as robotics automation, remains a challenge. Many people are wary of AI products, fearing that robots will take over their jobs and lead to unemployment.

Vietnam's Artificial Intelligence Future

An interesting trend in Vietnam's economy and society is the emergence of artificial intelligence. Without question, Vietnam has the potential to get to the top of this industry given the growing number of startups and well-established businesses investing in AI technologies.

But for Vietnam to fully profit from AI, as with any new sector or technology, some obstacles need to be overcome. To ensure that people adopt artificial intelligence (AI) without much resistance, they are building a skilled workforce, enacting laws and policies governing its use, enhancing access to high-quality data sets, and boosting R&D investment for AI application methods.

The digital world is changing into a complex environment created by artificial intelligence, and we are seeing breakthroughs in this field all around the world. Next, it is up to us to decide how our society will respond to these new technical developments.

To find an AI partner in Vietnam, connect with EDUTO.