The People’s Committee of the south-central province of Binh Dinh has approved the detailed planning of an AI research and development centre to be constructed in the provincial capital of Quy Nhon. The centre and its supporting urban zone, covering a total area of 93.2 hectares, will be situated in the Long Van urban area, according to the committee.

The AI R&D centre will provide facilities to develop and produce software and cybersecurity and AI solutions as well as support digital transformation overall. As per a news report, the centre is also expected to help attract investment in fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies, enabling the country to then explore and eventually master 5IR technologies. The project will be carried out as a joint venture between Da Nang FPT Urban JSC, FPT Investment, and FPT Software. The estimated cost is more than VND4.36 trillion (US$190.64 million).

In February this year, the country announced it had ranked 62^ndin the 2021 Government Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index, jumping 14 places since the year before. With an overall score of 51.82 out of 100, Vietnam ranked 6^thin the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN). This is the first year its score has surpassed the global average of 47.42. The index, published yearly, ranks countries based on 42 indicators across three pillars:government, the technology sector, and data and infrastructure.

According to the Deputy Head of the High Technology Department under the Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology, the index also evaluates human resources training, technology application, and the development and deployment of a national strategy on AI. In the 2021 release, for the first time since the index was created, one-quarter of the countries in the top 20 are from East Asia. Vietnam and Indonesia released national AI strategies in the time since the 2020 index was compiled, meaning that they both scored the maximum in the Vision dimension this year. Vietnam’s AI strategy sets out its ambitions to be amongst the top countries in the region for AI research, development, and application.

Following the strategy, several provinces and cities in the country have ramped up their AI initiatives. Earlier this month, OpenGov Asia reported that Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Information and Communications created a plan to deploy AI applications in public administration, transport, healthcare, banking, and industries. The department will also expand and complete the city’s databases as part of its effort to become a smart city with e-government and e-enterprises by 2025. Authorities will focus on developing AI technologies, improving human resources through AI education and training, and enhancing academic connections with foreign AI professionals.

Reports show that Vietnam’s AI market will witness steady growth from 2022 to 2026. The rise in the demand for the analysis of historical datasets to predict upcoming market trends is expected to influence its development. Advancements in cloud computing technology and the rise in the demand for data analysis could also impact the country’s AI market growth.