The demand for human resources for information and communications technology (ICT) in general and artificial intelligence (AI) in particular in Vietnam has increased continuously and about one million more ICT personnel will be needed in the country by 2030, according to a recent news report.
In 2019, the total number of personnel working in Vietnam’s ICT industry was about 970,000 people, of whom around 180,000 worked for the software and digital content sectors. 1,600 were AI researchers (both domestic and foreign). At present, there are 50 universities that are training AI-related majors in Vietnam. As per the Vietnam-Australia AI Network, during 2010-2018, Vietnam had 372 AI patent applications, ranking second in ASEAN. The number of scientific publications on AI increased from 134 in 2010 to 525 in 2018.
Earlier, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) launched the Vietnam – Australia AI cooperation network, with the aim to help promote the national AI strategy. The network looks to gather Vietnamese individuals, businesses, and organisations working in AI, both at home and abroad, to cooperate with Australian partners, hoped to serve as a prerequisite for building a community of sustainable AI cooperation in Vietnam and the world in the future.
Through this network, Vietnam looks forward to learning from Australia as well as other countries to create a favourable environment for AI development in Vietnam. This will help achieve the ambitious goal set out in the national AI strategy, which was to bring Vietnam to the top four of ASEAN and top 50 in the world in AI research, development, and application by 2030. The ministry is calling on all individuals and organisations working in AI in Vietnam to join the network, targeting at least 100 businesses and 1,000 individuals to join the network group on social media.
The partnership will serve as a prerequisite for building a community of sustainable AI cooperation in Vietnam and the world in the future. People from all across the nation will be able to reap the benefits of the opportunities the AI sector brings through connecting one another and making way for access to AI support policies and programmes that are issued by the state agencies. Businesses participating in the network will have the opportunity to interact with specialists to find AI solutions. All while they partner with domestic and foreign counterparts in AI application and technology transfer.
The MoST Deputy Minister explained that management software and an online community space for members will be initially developed to enable members to share their opinions on AI development in Vietnam. Eventually, through boosting cooperation with many other countries they will work towards setting up a sustainable AI community. It is envisioned that various activities will facilitate computer science in the country.
Last month, Australia and Vietnam announced they would jointly launch DigiVet-Aus, a business connecting platform. The project is expected to boost software exporting and outsourcing from Vietnam. The Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia made the announcement during a virtual seminar on information communication technology (ICT) cooperation opportunities between Vietnam and Australia.
The market size of the software industry in Australia is estimated at AUD13 billion (US$8.9 billion) as the development of the country’s economy is based on ICT platforms. However, the supply of digital products and human resources have dropped mainly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for human resources and IT products in Australia is huge. Many Australian enterprises are facing a shortage of ICT workforce while the government is focusing on bolstering the development of digital technologies. It is an opportunity for Vietnamese IT companies to strengthen their connection with Australian pairs and vice versa.
