HÀ NỘI — As artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors become strategic pillars of technological development, Việt Nam is striving to advance in these fields despite limited resources. The country has implemented several policies to foster innovation, but businesses must also adapt their development strategies to thrive in this competitive landscape.

At the AISC 25, Nguyễn Mai Dương, director of the Department of Innovation under the Ministry of Science and Technology, emphasised that in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, innovation is no longer optional but a necessity for national competitiveness.

"AI and semiconductors are not only cutting-edge technologies but also strategic drivers for Việt Nam's development in the new economic cycle," Dương stated.

Despite favourable policies, resource availability is the biggest challenge in AI and semiconductor development. At the seminar, Bùi Hải Hưng, director of the VinAI Research Institute, discussed strategies for advancing AI despite resource limitations.

He cited the example of DeepSeek, an AI system that has garnered global attention. Developed with a budget of approximately US$5.39 million – significantly lower than the $1.6 billion required for other AI models – DeepSeek achieved comparable performance levels.

"Sometimes, resource constraints push us to be more intelligent and adaptable. Scarcity forces innovation and efficiency," Hưng noted.

Reflecting on his decision to return to Việt Nam and establish an AI research institute six years ago, Hưng acknowledged the risks. However, he quickly realised that Việt Nam was at a pivotal moment where its limitations could serve as a catalyst for breakthrough innovations.

A seasoned expert with prior experience at Google DeepMind, Adobe Research, and SRI International (formerly Stanford Research Institute), Hưng has played a key role in AI development. At SRI, he contributed to the CALO project, the largest AI initiative of its time, which later led to the creation of Apple's Siri.

Hưng stressed the importance of building a high-quality workforce.

"Every invention stems from necessity. In Việt Nam, the most pressing need is addressing resource constraints. This principle guides our work," he said.

“To attract top AI talent, VinAI has launched an AI residency programme, targeting skilled professionals across Southeast Asia. The initiative aims to bring leading AI experts to Việt Nam, with over 100 professionals already benefiting from it.”

AI at the Edge: A Future-Defining Innovation

In parallel with Việt Nam's efforts, international tech companies are also driving AI advancements. At AISC 2025, Honeywell's Chief Technology Officer Suresh Venkatarayalu introduced the "Forge Appliance," an industrial computing device designed to enable real-time AI decision-making at the edge – closer to data sources rather than relying on remote cloud processing.

"Transmitting massive industrial data to the cloud in real-time is not economically viable," Venkatarayalu explained. "By deploying AI at the edge, we enable mission-critical operations in sectors such as energy, aviation, and manufacturing to function autonomously with minimal latency."

Honeywell is working with semiconductor firms, including NXP Semiconductors, to develop AI-optimised hardware that ensures efficiency and longevity in industrial environments. These collaborations demonstrate how AI and semiconductor integration can revolutionise automation and efficiency. — VNS