AI creates foundation for building Ho Chi Minh City into a smart city: international conference

Ho Chi Minh City authorities have rolled out projects to foster the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in production, daily activities and smart city building with a hope that AI will create the foundation for successfully realising the smart city development project.

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Nguyen Thanh Phong speaking at the conference (Photo: VNA)
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Nguyen Thanh Phong speaking at the conference (Photo: VNA)

The remark was made by Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Nguyen Thanh Phong at an international conference on domestic and international experience in AI research and application, and recommendations for HCM City in this regard, which was held on September 25.

The event, co-organised by the municipal People’s Committee and the World Bank, saw the presence of Politburo member and Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan; leaders of ministries and sectors, as well as many domestic and foreign experts, scientists and managers.

Chairman Phong emphasised that the conference’s outcomes will provide the foundation of research for the city to build an AI ecosystem and establish an AI application center in the near future.

According to Ousmane Dione, World Bank Country Director for Vietnam, AI can offer solutions to some of the city’s challenges, given a suitable enabling environment, adding that companies and cities who are smart about AI will reap the rewards.

He also stressed three key elements for AI’s success for Ho Chi Minh City, including clear and realistic expectations for where and how AI can be operated in the city; an enabling environment for AI to succeed in practice, especially when it comes to accessing and integrating the data needed to solve the city’s challenges; and proper understanding and management of any key risks associated with AI.

Participants at the event focused their discussions on AI application in the city; the collaboration and interaction among the State, entrepreneurs, scientists and financial investors in the fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0); the city’s attraction to businesses and financial institutions; among others.