Vietnam urged to enact law to lead SE Asia in AI

Amid a global wave of countries introducing regulations and legislation for AI management, Tran Van Khai, vice-chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee on Science, Technology, and Environment, said the period from 2025 to 2026 is seen as an ideal time to establish a legal framework to support AI development and governance.

This statement was made at a seminar on AI strategy and national, organizational and enterprise data architecture, jointly organized on Wednesday in Hanoi by the National Data Association and the Institute of Generative New Intelligence Technology and Education.

Khai noted that while AI is becoming a key driver of development, it also presents new challenges.

Current legal frameworks are inadequate for addressing emerging issues posed by AI.

Therefore, he stressed the need for a specific AI law to ensure safe development, risk control, and protection of citizens.

The Committee on Science, Technology, and Environment has already conducted preliminary research highlighting areas that require regulations.

Human-centered AI principles must ensure that AI serves people, respects privacy, and upholds ethical values.

Risk management and transparency are essential, with AI systems classified based on their level of risk. 

High-risk systems should undergo mandatory safety assessments, and AI-generated content must be clearly labeled to prevent misinformation, according to Khai.

Data infrastructure should be integrated with mechanisms for data sharing and AI data management, aligned with personal data protection and prioritizing the development of infrastructure that ensures digital sovereignty.

Innovation should be promoted through preferential mechanisms, support for creative development, and the use of regulatory sandboxes to test AI applications in controlled environments.

The legal responsibilities of organizations and individuals developing AI must be clearly defined, Khai said.

At the seminar, Major General Nguyen Ngoc Cuong, director of the National Data Center under the Ministry of Public Security and vice-president of the National Data Association, stated that with a large population and fast digital transformation, Vietnam possesses a vast 'data treasure.'

He proposed three key actions for Vietnam to seize the golden opportunity to become a strong data-driven nation: building a unified data governance system based on institutions, technology, processes, and people; developing comprehensive data mining capabilities; and establishing a sustainable data ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders, including the government, businesses, academia, and the public.