ABAII Unitour Welcomes 1,000 NEU Students into the Blockchain and AI Era

18/10/2024

The event marks the 14th program in the ABAII Unitour series, aiming to popularize Blockchain and AI at 30 universities nationwide. It attracted 1,000 students attending in person and reached tens of thousands more through livestreams on nearly 50 social media platforms.

On October 17, 2024, at the National Economics University (NEU), the Academy of Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (ABAII) and the Vietnam Blockchain Association (VBA) organized the 14th ABAII Unitour event under the theme “Blockchain and AI: Mastering Technology, Mastering the Future.” The program attracted nearly 1,000 students, primarily from technology and finance disciplines, including those from NEU’s School of Technology.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Nguyễn Quang Huy, Dean of the School of Technology at NEU, emphasized, “Blockchain, and especially AI, are not just trends but represent significant opportunities for Vietnam to advance on the global digital economy map. Students must grasp and master these technologies to meet labor market demands and take control of their futures. Blockchain and AI are reshaping the digital economy and serve as gateways to international career paths for the younger generation. Mastery of these technologies will provide students with a competitive advantage in the job market.”

According to Dr. Nguyễn Quang Huy, students need to grasp and master Blockchain and AI technologies to gain a competitive edge in the future labor market.
According to Dr. Nguyễn Quang Huy, students need to grasp and master Blockchain and AI technologies to gain a competitive edge in the future labor market.

Addressing a hotly debated topic within the community—whether AI is a companion or competitor in the workforce—Dr. Lê Linh Lương, Deputy Director of ABAII Academy, commented, “AI brings both opportunities and challenges: opportunities for those who can harness and master this tool, and challenges for those who struggle to keep pace with today’s changes. Our mission is to leverage AI’s advantages while minimizing its drawbacks, making it an effective tool for learning, working, and contributing to socio-economic development.”

According to McKinsey’s 2023 report, generative AI contributes approximately $4 trillion annually to the global economy, with marketing, sales, and software development being the most impacted sectors. Microsoft’s report also shows that workers of all ages—from Gen Z (18-28 years), Millennials (29-43 years), Gen X (44-57 years), to Boomers (over 58 years)—are increasingly embracing and using AI as an indispensable tool for learning and work, with adoption rates ranging from 73% to 85%.

Dr. Lê Linh Lương affirmed that if we can leverage AI’s strengths and mitigate its weaknesses, it will become a “companion” helping us achieve our goals in learning and work.

Assessing AI’s impact on the labor market, particularly for technology students, Mr. Nguyễn Thanh Tuấn, a Master in Machine Learning and lecturer at the School of Economic Mathematics, National Economics University, emphasized that AI helps businesses optimize efficiency and creates unprecedented opportunities. Mr. Tuấn highlighted notable AI applications such as the Virtual Service Desk Agent (VSDA), a powerful IT sector tool capable of reducing wait times by 99% and cutting work time for customer service departments by up to 40%.

AI is also widely applied in various other fields, including supply chain management and mathematics, with advanced technologies like self-driving cars and smart warehouse management systems, completely transforming the operational methods of these traditional industries.

Mr. Nguyễn Thanh Tuấn cited several outstanding AI applications that effectively support students and businesses in optimizing performance across various fields.
Mr. Nguyễn Thanh Tuấn cited several outstanding AI applications that effectively support students and businesses in optimizing performance across various fields.

The program also provided a forum for students to engage directly with experts in a panel discussion titled “Career Trends in Blockchain and AI: Opportunities to Develop Skills and Increase Income for Students,” featuring leading Blockchain and AI specialists.

Regarding the practical applications of Blockchain and AI, Mr. Phạm Mạnh Cường, Director of Wischain Co., Ltd., emphasized, “Blockchain not only enhances security but also fundamentally transforms data management and financial transactions by enabling digital assets and Blockchain applications such as Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization, NFTs, and more.”

Mr. Nguyễn Minh Cường, Chief Consultant at Alobase JSC, agreed, highlighting the high demand for talent in the Blockchain and AI sectors, particularly for programmer positions that offer high salaries and flexible, internationally oriented work environments with minimal competition.

Addressing concerns about AI potentially replacing human roles, Dr. Lương Văn Thiện, Lecturer in the Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at the School of Technology, National Economics University, stated, “AI will replace many repetitive tasks, especially in the service industry, but it will also create new career opportunities that have never existed before. With their competitive skills and adaptability, Vietnamese students may soon become a priority in the international job market.”

Ms. Phạm Thùy Linh, Director of TomoTech JSC, stated, “AI will not completely replace humans but will primarily enhance human capabilities across various fields by automating certain tasks in sectors such as Education, Accounting-Auditing, and Data Analysis. Additionally, it will create new demands for skills and roles.”

Experts discussed opportunities for gaining AI and Blockchain knowledge and skills to increase income potential, with one such opportunity being MasterTeck, Vietnam’s leading online learning platform for Blockchain and AI.
Experts discussed opportunities for gaining AI and Blockchain knowledge and skills to increase income potential, with one such opportunity being MasterTeck, Vietnam’s leading online learning platform for Blockchain and AI.

Addressing the downsides of AI, Mr. Nguyễn Hoàng Tùng, CEO of VVN AI Technology JSC, emphasized that the rapid development of AI calls for adherence to AI ethics and community standards to prevent misuse for malicious purposes, such as using deepfake technology (high-quality image and voice manipulation) for fraud or identity theft. He also encouraged students to pursue career opportunities in identity verification and cybersecurity to help mitigate these risks.

Echoing Mr. Tùng’s views, Ms. Phạm Thùy Linh, Director of Talent Development at ABAII Academy, encouraged students to actively study and deepen their knowledge of Blockchain and AI to proactively seize high-paying career opportunities. “The opportunity to learn and join the international job market has never been this close, and students should take full advantage of it,” Ms. Phạm Thùy Linh emphasized.

ABAII Unitour welcomed 1,000 students attending in person and tens of thousands more via live streams to the Blockchain and AI era.
ABAII Unitour welcomed 1,000 students attending in person and tens of thousands more via live streams to the Blockchain and AI era.

As part of the program, ABAII Academy offered a special incentive for students enrolling in AI Application training courses on MasterTeck—Vietnam’s leading online learning platform for Blockchain and AI. MasterTeck provides over 300 courses across 24 lucrative fields and offers prestigious international certifications from EC Council, CompTIA, and PECB. Possessing these international certifications will be a significant advantage for students entering the global job market.

Building on the success of its 14th program at the School of Technology, National Economics University, the ABAII Unitour—a series dedicated to popularizing Blockchain and AI and opening new career opportunities for students—will continue at the University of Economics and Finance in Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Hue University, and many other prestigious universities across the country.