The event, co-hosted by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Ministry of Science and Technology, was the first session held under the framework of the WEF on ASEAN 2018 that opened the same day in Hanoi.
The forum, themed ASEAN 4.0 for All, was developed to give students, entrepreneurs, young professionals and the general public an opportunity to discuss what their future might look like as technological disruption shapes the ASEAN region.
Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum highlighted the changes that 4IR – with new technologies such as artificial intelligence, internet of things and drones – will have in various aspects, from economics to society.
“The 4IR will just change how we produce, consume and communicate. It will change who we are,” Schwab said.
He urged young people to be aware of the developments and the impact of 4IR as well as being prepared for it as the revolution will destroy many chances while creating new opportunities.
“We have to make sure that we have new skills to adapt to those required in the new age,” Schwab said.
In his opening speech, Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh suggested ASEAN nations, including Vietnam, develop visions and strategies in the context of 4IR to make ASEAN an innovation hub.
“It is the fastest and most effective way to identify opportunities and challenges in the context of 4IR, thus helping young ASEAN people to turn challenges into opportunities, ideas into products and gain more success in start-up and innovation,” he said.
The Government of Vietnam considers enterprises and start-ups as the central force of the national economy and science and technology as the driving force of a sustainable development economy.
Vietnam has developed a national start-up ecosystem and action plans to tap the potential and adapt to challenges of the 4IR.
The country is also developing the national strategy for science, technology and innovation vision 2035 and the scenario of 4IR for Vietnam.
Vietnam is willing to cooperate with WEF and ASEAN nations on local and international resources for science-technology and innovation, Minister Anh stressed.
The forum saw a panel discussion with the participation of regional government officials, entrepreneurs and chief executive officers of multinational companies.
The panel touched on the regional issues and opportunities emerging in the 4IR, such as employment, education, ecommerce and e-marketing, among others.
