The global AI competition is getting stronger, creating three urgent tasks for Vietnam: controlling technology and data, developing and using AI safely, and having a workforce that can master and manage AI.

On August 14, a national scientific conference called 'Artificial Intelligence for Cryptography and Information Security' was held, bringing together government officials, scientists, experts, universities, research institutes, and tech companies working on AI, cryptography, and information security.

Quantum technology is a big challenge to public-key cryptography.

The conference was opened by Lt. Gen. Vu Ngoc Thiem, who talked about the two sides of AI in the digital age.

AI can help design, test, and improve cryptographic algorithms and warn about cyberattacks, but it can also be used to attack these systems if it's not reliable.

Lt. Gen. Vu Ngoc Thiem says AI offers many opportunities but also creates big challenges for protecting data and national interests.

The fast development of quantum technology is a big challenge for public-key cryptographic algorithms, which can affect telecommunications, finance, and national digital infrastructure.

'If we fall behind in adopting technology, we risk long-term disadvantages in protecting state secrets and strategic data,' Thiem said.

Research and moving to post-quantum cryptography are important for cryptographic sovereignty and national security.

Vietnam has approved a project to develop quantum-resistant cryptographic systems for 2026-2035, which is a step towards strengthening information security and safeguarding national digital sovereignty.

AI development needs a whole ecosystem.

Speakers at the conference said that no single agency or company can address the challenges of AI and quantum technology alone.

Prof. Nguyen Thanh Thuy said AI is a strategic technology that affects the whole world.

He stressed the need for cooperation between different fields and the participation of the whole ecosystem in advancing AI.

'We need a collaborative network where the state creates a supportive environment, research institutes and universities do research, businesses bring technology to life, and professional organizations connect the community,' he said.

Assoc. Prof. Le Hai Binh said AI is not just a technological issue, but also relates to institutions, governance, law, ethics, and social responsibility.

Assoc. Prof. Le Hai Binh says the challenges of AI must be approached from more than a technological perspective.

Analyzing the global AI competition, Binh identified three urgent tasks.

The first task is to strengthen technological and data control, and the second is to develop and deploy AI safely and responsibly.

The third task is to develop a workforce that can master AI technologies and govern their use.

Turning to information security, Binh warned that generative AI has made the information environment more complex.

'Generative AI has led to more misinformation, and deepfakes are becoming more common,' he said. 'Securing cyberspace depends on public awareness and society's resilience to harmful information.'

According to Thiem, creating specialized scientific forums that connect regulators, scientists, educational institutions, businesses, and professional forces is necessary.

The AI4CRIS 2026 conference was established with that objective, featuring presentations, scientific papers, and a roundtable discussion.

The initiative aims to contribute to the government's goal of placing Vietnam among the top countries in AI by 2030.

Du Lam