He made the remarks while receiving Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Tam, Chair of the Department of Computer Science, Data and Artificial Intelligence at the Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris) in Ha Noi on August 24.
The Deputy PM expressed his pleasure at meeting Tam, a prominent Vietnamese scientist in France who has conducted outstanding research and holds key academic positions at IP Paris and Télécom Paris.
He said that in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), cognitive capacity and knowledge creation are increasingly becoming decisive factors in a country’s core competitive advantage. AI is not only transforming production, business, and social governance but also creating new requirements for human development, education, science, and technology.
While Viet Nam does not yet have an overwhelming advantage in competing with the world's leading technology powers, it possesses a particularly valuable resource – its people – along with a strong foundation in mathematics, natural sciences, and information technology built by generations of Vietnamese at home and abroad. This provides an important basis for Viet Nam to proactively access, master, and effectively harness the opportunities presented by AI, he noted.
At the meeting, Tam presented his proposal, which places people at the core and natural intelligence development at the centre of efforts to master and maximise the potential of AI.
He also introduced a strategic vision, content, and roadmap for five pioneering projects designed to be breakthrough initiatives with high practical applicability. The proposals aim to leverage Viet Nam’s strengths in human resources, knowledge, science and technology, laying a foundation for the country to gradually strengthen its capacity in research, innovation and AI application.
Dung spoke highly of Tam’s ideas and approach, particularly his emphasis on putting people at the centre of AI development and application, saying this approach is particularly meaningful as AI is developing rapidly and having an increasingly profound impact on all areas of socio-economic life.
The Deputy PM expressed his hope that Vietnamese scientists overseas, including Tam, will promote their international experience, strengthen links with domestic research and training institutions, and contribute ideas, initiatives and solutions suited to Viet Nam’s development requirements in the new period.
