Vietnam's civil societies are making a strategic move into emerging technologies by establishing the Vietnam Academy of Blockchain and AI Innovation (ABAII) to accelerate the nation's digitization efforts. A local news report highlights ABAII's pivotal role in reshaping Vietnam's digital economy amidst increasing foreign investments and governmental initiatives. ABAII made its debut at a significant blockchain and AI forum in Hanoi, where it was hailed as a significant advancement for the ecosystem.
At the core of ABAII's mission is an ambitious target: to train one million Vietnamese citizens in AI and blockchain by the decade's end. While funding details remain uncertain, there is optimism that the government will fully support this initiative.
In the short term, ABAII aims to train 100,000 students from 30 universities across Vietnam. The initiative will offer a range of courses, workshops, and university tours focused on AI and blockchain technologies. Additionally, students will receive guidance on career prospects and ethical considerations related to these fields.
ABAII plans to foster interest in higher education through hackathons, ideation sessions, and university tours, extending its reach beyond traditional academic institutions. Initial outreach efforts have been promising, with enthusiastic responses from students during a tour of five leading universities.
Dao Trung Thanh, the project's deputy director, has announced the provision of 50 scholarships to technical students, aiming to expand the adoption of blockchain and AI across the country.
Vietnam's young and tech-savvy population already has familiarity with blockchain technology, as evidenced by the nation's leading position in DeFi within the ASEAN region. Moreover, Vietnamese residents have engaged with blockchain-based games like Axie Infinity and Gods Unchained, showcasing their readiness to embrace innovative digital platforms.
