The Au Lac AI Alliance was officially launched on June 20 in Hanoi, aiming to develop a truly Vietnamese AI ecosystem, in Vietnamese, to secure the country's technological sovereignty and assert its digital identity in the new era.

Bringing together scientists, tech experts, businesses, universities, and research institutes from Vietnam and abroad, the alliance is driven by a vision to harness Vietnamese intellect, foster innovation, and boost AI application across all sectors. This initiative aligns with Vietnam’s strategic goal to elevate national intelligence and economic growth through AI.

Creating a Vietnamese AI model in Vietnamese

At the launch event, Professor Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member and Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, emphasized: “I appreciate the name Au Lac AI Alliance. It reflects our historical sovereignty. Now, we must assert it in the digital realm. We must realize a Vietnamese AI model, in the Vietnamese language.”

He stressed that entering the tech era confidently requires strategic decisions and collective commitment. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” he said. “Today we are shaping a profound mission.”

The alliance aims to become a genuine innovation ecosystem by pooling together intelligence, technology, data, and institutional capacity to develop Vietnam’s own AI models. It goes beyond technology by embedding cultural preservation and digital literacy into its mission, ensuring AI contributes to a smarter, more resilient society.

Without owning and controlling Vietnamese-language data, Vietnam risks losing digital autonomy in the AI-driven world.

Technology sovereignty is national sovereignty

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of the Au Lac AI Alliance and Chairman of FPT Corporation, identified three critical challenges driving the alliance’s formation.

First is national security. Drawing on geopolitical conflicts, he highlighted that no nation can defend itself without mastering AI. “Technology sovereignty is now inseparable from national sovereignty,” he said.

Second is the goal of becoming a developed country by the 100th anniversary of independence. Vietnam’s “strategic quartet” includes modern governance, deep integration, science and technology, and exporting intellect. “Can we achieve these goals without a strong AI foundation?” he questioned.

Third is the resource gap. While global superpowers invest billions in AI annually, Vietnam lacks similar resources. However, he sees opportunity: “Our weakness in data can become a strength if we mobilize the community - students, workers, and the public - to contribute.”

He called for AI education from first grade through university, urging over 50 million workers to learn, understand, and master AI. This, he said, is the path to increasing labor productivity and advancing into a new era of Vietnamese-driven innovation.

In closing, he said: “The Au Lac AI Alliance is a first ray of dawn for a proud nation. If Vietnam wins this intellectual battle, we will rise to glory.”

Ha Thuong