📅 Hanoi, March 18, 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a key driver in the digital transformation of Vietnam’s public sector. To provide a comprehensive assessment of the current landscape, opportunities, and challenges in applying AI to public administration, the Danang Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence Center (DSAC) took part in a dedicated seminar on AI in the public sector. The event brought together leading experts, policymakers, and representatives from various government agencies to discuss and shape strategic directions for AI development in the years ahead.

📌 The State of AI Adoption in Vietnam’s Public Sector
According to the Institute for Policy Studies and Media Development (IPS), recent survey results revealed:
📊 87% of AI-integrated projects in the public sector have not been applied in practice
📊 70% of implemented AI projects have shown low effectiveness

This raises a critical question: Why hasn’t AI realized its full potential in the public sector?

🔍 Major Barriers to AI Development
📌 Unclear AI problem definitions
🔹 Many agencies have yet to clearly define the objectives and scope of AI applications, hindering practical implementation.
🔹 Example: In projects aimed at reviewing overlapping legal documents, the lack of clear criteria for what constitutes “overlap” poses challenges for AI developers.

📌 Lack of high-quality and centralized data
🔹 Public sector data remains fragmented, unstandardized, and underutilized.
🔹 A single ministry may hold over 30 datasets scattered across departments, making it difficult to build accurate AI models.

📌 Limited AI infrastructure and high development costs
🔹 AI investment costs are high, yet there is no clear legal framework for budget calculation and allocation.
🔹 While AI computing capacity is projected to reach 51 MW by the end of 2024, a shortage of AI chips and energy infrastructure persists.

📌 Shortage of AI talent in the public sector
🔹 AI requires highly skilled personnel, but Vietnam is still focused on traditional IT training. There are no clear job position frameworks for AI roles in government.

🚀 Solutions and Recommendations for Advancing AI in the Public Sector
🔹 Define clear AI problem statements: Agencies should identify real-world needs and ensure that AI solutions are designed to effectively address them.
🔹 Invest in data and talent development: Vietnam is building a national data center at the NIC and has launched over 50 AI training programs, including 10 specialized majors.
🔹 Strengthen public-private partnerships: Tech companies can play a vital role in advising and executing real-world AI projects.
🔹 Improve the legal framework: Specific policies are needed to support funding, investment, and transparency in AI implementation.

🌍 The Government’s Role in AI Development
The government plays a central role in fostering AI through three key functions:

1. Enabling the AI Ecosystem
   🔹 Promote innovation, invest in AI infrastructure, provide open data, and develop a high-quality AI workforce.
2. Applying AI in Practice
   🔹 Build a clear vision and ensure adequate financial, human, and data resources for AI to enhance public services and economic growth.
3. Ensuring AI Ethics
   🔹 Prioritize safety, transparency, inclusivity, and accountability to mitigate risks related to privacy, data bias, or algorithmic discrimination.

🎯 DSAC’s Strategic Direction
DSAC is committed to collaborating with government agencies, research institutions, and tech enterprises to drive AI adoption in the public sector—particularly in Danang. With strategic investment and a clear roadmap, AI is poised not only to enhance public governance but also to power technological and digital economic development across Vietnam.

📢 AI is not just a trend – it is the future of the public sector!