French experts encourage Vietnamese youth to master AI responsibly

French experts discussed a topic of growing interest among young people: 'Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology: Toward Ethical and Responsible Applications' at the Academy of Journalism and Communication on Monday afternoon.

The seminar was held as part of a visit by a delegation of senior French experts to Hanoi from June 29 to July 3 under the French government's technical assistance project, 'Modernizing Vietnam's Public Administration Through Digital Transformation.'

The experts agreed that AI has become deeply integrated into everyday life and cannot be ignored.

Rather than resisting it, they said, people should learn to use the technology intelligently, responsibly, and ethically.

While offering practical guidance on using AI effectively, the speakers also addressed students' concerns about the technology's potential impact on future employment.

Focusing on education and careers, Hervé Le Bars, an e-government specialist, described AI as a new intellectual infrastructure for both learning and work.

However, he stressed that people must first understand how AI works before they can use it effectively.

He noted that France has introduced a national AI education program called Pix IA, which serves approximately 1.5 million students each year.

The program is mandatory for eighth-grade and tenth-grade students, as well as first-year vocational school students, with the goal of teaching them to use AI appropriately and responsibly.

"The future belongs to those who know how to use AI in a methodical, cautious, and responsible way," Le Bars said.

He advised users to remain in control of AI rather than relying on it automatically, verify information whenever possible, and ensure that AI systems are developed and integrated by people with relevant domain expertise.

Le Bars also called on governments to establish legal frameworks to minimize AI's negative impacts and misuse, while urging the international community to develop a global ethical framework for AI.

"We use AI better when we understand that it is useful but not always certain," he said. "In the AI era, the ability to think independently becomes even more valuable."

Critical thinking remains essential

Thomas Menant, a digital transformation consultant, said young people must develop strong critical thinking skills to identify AI's potential shortcomings and biases.

According to Menant, workers can use AI to improve their professional capabilities, but doing so requires experience, continuous learning, and the ability to detect errors and make sound decisions.

"We must use AI as a tool and train it so that it becomes a useful assistant," he told the students.

Manon Lafitte, a digital technology law specialist at Numéricité and a digital transformation consultant, also encouraged young people to learn how to use AI safely and effectively.

She emphasized that mastering AI takes time and that governments should establish legal frameworks to prevent AI-related misconduct, protect personal privacy, and reduce harmful consequences.

Some lecturers and students at the seminar expressed concerns that AI could eventually replace humans.

In his closing remarks, French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet rejected that view, saying AI would never be able to replace the qualities that make people human.

"Critical thinking, creativity, and human sensitivity can never be replaced by AI," Brochet said.

"The ability to distinguish between right and wrong, along with ethics and responsibility, are qualities that AI can never possess.

"That is why learning how to use AI is becoming increasingly important."