Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam artificial intelligence(AI) festival took place in Hanoi on August 16, aiming to boost AI research andapplications in various fields, including education, health, trade, finance,and agriculture.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam saidAI development is not only a scientific issue but also a socio-economic matterto boost growth in Vietnam.

He said the country has no ways other than stepping up AIdevelopment as it offers such a great opportunity for Vietnam to grasp.

Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh said theministry is focusing on developing an AI ecosystem, supporting research on AItechnologies, and linking researchers, investors and businessmen in the field.

He hoped participating experts will exchange their knowledgeon boosting the sector as well as connectivity among elements that constitutethe domestic AI ecosystem.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung affirmedthat his ministry has set a goal of building a complete ecosystem forinnovation and startups in Vietnam via the establishment of a nationalinnovation centre.

He pointed to human resources development as a top priority instrengthening the AI industry in Vietnam amid the fourth industrial revolution.

The festival was co-organised by the Ministry of Science andTechnology and the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

In 2018, the two ministries and relevant agencies set upVietnam’s innovation network to call for Vietnamese technology experts andintellectuals worldwide to join hands in boosting the country’sscience-technology capacity.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment plans to build morenetworks that gather Vietnamese intellectuals in developed countries and aglobal innovation fund for human resources training in the field, particularlyAI experts.-VNA