AI and Data: Deciding National Competitiveness and Position in the New Era

AI and data: Deciding competitiveness and national position in the new era - Photo 1.

Workshop "AI Strategy and National Data Architecture, Organizations and Enterprises" - Photo: VGP/Phuong Lien

On the afternoon of September 10, the National Data Association held a workshop on “AI Strategy and National Data Architecture, Organizations and Enterprises” - an in-depth discussion forum where scientists , businesses and policy-making agencies discussed, analyzed and sought consensus on the strategic approach to AI and data development in the coming period.

Major General Nguyen Ngoc Cuong, Director of the National Data Center and Vice President of the National Data Association, emphasized that Vietnam is facing major challenges in data management, with the risk of "data colonization", when most user data is stored on foreign platforms.

According to the Director of the National Data Center, countries that can collect, process and exploit data effectively will have a competitive advantage in the global economy . With a large population and a rapid pace of digital transformation, Vietnam is possessing a large “data treasure”. This can lead to three serious consequences: technology dependence, value loss and security risks.

Data is the fourth factor of production, after labor, capital, and land. In particular, it can increase the efficiency of all three traditional factors through labor optimization, capital efficiency, and efficient land use.

Therefore, Vietnam needs to build a unified data management system based on four pillars: institutions, technology, processes and people; develop comprehensive data mining capacity. At the same time, build a sustainable data ecosystem, creating a network of stakeholders who benefit together - from the State, businesses to institutes and people.

At the event, speakers shared the view that AI and data are no longer purely technological fields, but are core factors that determine sovereignty , competitiveness and national position in the new era. Vietnam can only take advantage of the “data treasure” and AI potential when it knows how to turn vision into laws, strategies and specific actions, instead of just stopping at slogans.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Nguyen Ai Viet, Director of the Institute for Generative Intelligence Technology and Education (IGNITE), said that countries that grasp data - an important resource and means of production in the digital economy - will break through, while those who miss out will fall behind.

According to the Director of IGNITE Institute, the world has officially entered a new era and Vietnam cannot stand aside. “This will not be a path full of roses – we will encounter barriers in terms of institutions, habits, system complexity, culture and innovation challenges. But it is in hardship that national intelligence and character will shine,” he affirmed.

“Seemingly distant concepts such as ‘data architecture’, ‘data methodology’, and ‘international strategic model’ must become the foundation for us to build a unique path for Vietnamese intelligence in the AI era,” said Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Nguyen Ai Viet.

Mr. Tran Van Khai - Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment pointed out that Vietnam aims to be among the leading groups in Southeast Asia in AI by 2030. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to soon promulgate the AI Law. The period of 2025-2026 is the right time to create a legal corridor for AI development and management.

“Vietnam’s AI Law needs to codify important policies such as the principle of humane AI, ensuring that AI serves humans, respects privacy and ethical values. At the same time, it must manage risks and be transparent, require labeling of AI-generated content to prevent fake news; data infrastructure; promote innovation, allow sandbox testing for AI applications in a controlled environment and clearly define the legal responsibilities of organizations and individuals developing them,” Mr. Khai emphasized.

Phuong Lien

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/ai-va-du-lieu-quyet-dinh-suc-canh-tranh-va-vi-the-quoc-gia-trong-ky-nguyen-moi-102250910211013562.htm