Vietnam Launches National Generative AI Competition for University Students, Accelerating AI Education

Vietnam has launched its first national generative AI competition for university students, aiming to accelerate AI education and enhance students' capabilities in the field. Academic queries account for 17% of all prompts submitted by Vietnamese users, well above the regional average of 11%, cementing Vietnam’s position as the region’s top adopter of AI for education. The AI education content is structured around four areas corresponding to key AI competencies: human-centred thinking, AI ethics, AI techniques and applications, and AI system design. Jointly organised by Sea Limited and OpenAI, the contest is expected to provide participants with hands-on experience in artificial intelligence, while also offering a platform to exchange ideas and connect with members of the country’s fast-growing AI and developer community. The initiative aims to affirm Vietnam’s competitiveness among the world’s leading countries in AI and demonstrate Vietnamese students’ aptitude, analytical thinking, and ability to embrace new technologies. This aligns with the government's policy shift towards prioritizing strategic technology products where businesses play a central role in the innovation ecosystem, crucial for the country’s goal of double-digit growth. Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Minh stated that a safe AI future must be built on each country's governance capacity and trust among partners, expressing Vietnam's desire to work with China and ASEAN member states to contribute to such a future for the benefit of the people and the prosperity of the region. Furthermore, Vietnam is focusing on strengthening its semiconductor industry. Experts emphasize the need to step up semiconductor workforce training and closely link it with businesses, production, and technological research to meet growing market demand and enhance its capacity to participate in the global technology value chain. During a visit to France, Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, highlighted the importance of cooperation in science and technology, innovation, startup ecosystems, and human resource development between Vietnam and France. This underscores Vietnam's strategy to establish its position in advanced technology fields like AI and semiconductors through international cooperation and talent development.