HCMC – Vietnam should prioritize training skilled AI professionals instead of competing to build large-scale AI models like ChatGPT, experts said at a workshop organized by India’s Aptech Group on November 29.
Rakhee Das, an AI specialist from Amity University, said AI is growing rapidly worldwide. She noted that AI applications have increased by more than 400% in the past year, with around 1,000 new tools emerging each month. By 2025, global corporate investment in AI is expected to exceed US$200 billion.
“AI is reshaping every sector—from education and healthcare to finance, media, and the labor market,” Das said.
She highlighted two major risks. First, students may rely on AI for answers without understanding the underlying knowledge, weakening critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Second, some countries are investing heavily to build large AI models, which require billions of dollars, thousands of engineers, five to seven years of development, and extensive data center infrastructure.
According to the expert, Vietnam could take a more effective approach by focusing on developing AI talent. She noted that large companies are expanding AI centers, the Government is advancing its national AI strategy, and digital transformation is spreading across sectors.
“Young Vietnamese will lead AI development over the next 5–10 years,” she said. She also urged students to use AI responsibly and engage with systems capable of autonomous planning, reasoning, and action.
Nguyen Quang Tuan, an AI expert at Viettel Group, said Vietnam’s limited resources make it impractical to compete in the global race to build models like GPT, Claude, or Grok. He suggested using existing open models such as Llama, Mistral, and Qwen, then adapting them for Vietnamese language or industry-specific applications.
Viettel’s experience shows that focusing on practical AI applications generates economic value faster than investing in large model development. Tuan emphasized the need to train applied AI professionals who can integrate AI into business operations rather than focus solely on academic research.
“There is a mismatch between AI training and business needs,” he said. Many students learn algorithm research but lack practical skills in data pipelines, MLOps deployment, model evaluation, and AI integration into products.
Aptech India launched its Advanced Diploma in Software Engineering – Applied AI (ADSE–AI) at the event, with Vietnam among the first countries to implement it. The program trains students in AI applications, including NLP, Python, Generative AI, and enterprise projects. It is designed for beginners and those without prior programming experience, aiming to create a workforce capable of applying AI in business.
