Ho Chi Minh City (Bernama-VNA/VNS): The use of generative AI is widespread in Vietnam, with 89.3 percent of students and 81.9 percent of teachers reporting that they use such tools, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported, citing AI Ready ASEAN Research.
However, while about two-thirds of teachers have completed AI-related courses, only about one-quarter of students have received formal training.
Despite high levels of confidence, the assessment reveals gaps in fundamental AI understanding, suggesting that the adoption process is outpacing readiness.
The findings were released as part of AI Ready ASEAN Research and ASEAN Digital Outlook, which was officially launched by the ASEAN Foundation with the support of Google.org at the AI Ready ASEAN: 3rd Regional Policy Conference in Manila, Philippines.
AI Ready ASEAN Research assesses AI readiness in 10 ASEAN member states, focusing on education communities and examining students, teachers and parents as key actors shaping the way AI is adopted, understood and governed.
The findings reveal a persistent gap between high levels of AI use and actual readiness, particularly AI literacy, ethical understanding, and institutional support.
While students often emerge as early adopters of AI tools, teachers and parents face greater barriers related to confidence, guidance, and access to structured training.
Developed jointly with the ASEAN Digital Senior Officials Meeting, the ASEAN Digital Outlook aligns with region-wide digital governance priorities and provides a perspective on digital maturity, infrastructure development and institutional preparedness.
Together with AI Ready ASEAN Research, this builds on the progress of the AI Ready ASEAN programme, which has reached over five million beneficiaries through AI literacy initiatives, enabled over 100,000 learners to complete intensive AI training, and empowered over 3,000 master trainers across the region.
These efforts come at a time of rapid change.
Digitalization and artificial intelligence are reshaping Southeast Asian economies, education systems and public services at an unprecedented pace.
With a population of more than 660 million people, almost a third of them under the age of 20, Southeast Asia's ability to responsibly adopt AI will play a decisive role in shaping future skills development, employment opportunities and social inclusion.
ASEAN's digital economy is projected to grow from US$300 billion to US$1 trillion by 2030, creating immense opportunities as well as complex risks.
As AI adoption accelerates across all sectors, the need for inclusive, responsible and well-governed AI use has become an urgent priority for governments, institutions and communities across the region. –Bernama-VNA/VNS