Shift from assembly and processing to innovation and mastery of core technology

Presenting the report, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long said the purpose of building the law is to develop the digital technology industry into an economic sector that contributes greatly to the country's economy, creating the most favorable environment to nurture and develop digital technology businesses.

The draft law aims to develop the digital technology industry with a focus on Vietnamese digital technology enterprises, gradually shifting from assembly and processing to innovation, design, integration, production, and mastery of core technology in Vietnam; contributing to building a digital government, a driving force for the development of the digital economy and digital society...

In the draft law, implementing the Government's direction, based on the actual situation, the Ministry of Information and Communications proposed to add content on digital assets, AI and adjust the content of "semiconductor microchip" to "semiconductor".

The draft law stipulates the chapter "semiconductor industry" instead of "semiconductor microchips" to ensure comprehensiveness, comprehensiveness, and completeness of all stages of semiconductor industry activities, consistent with the goals and management objects and in sync with the Semiconductor Industry Development Strategy.

The draft assigns the Government to develop separate strategies and policies for development in each period.

Artificial intelligence is a core digital technology

Regarding artificial intelligence (AI), the draft law identifies this as one of the most core digital technologies. The law provides definitions, management and development principles, and assigns the Government to specify this content in detail.

The draft law outlines principles for AI management and development. AI that serves human well-being and prosperity must ensure transparency and explainability, accountability, fairness and non-discrimination, respect for ethical values ​​and human empowerment, privacy protection, inclusive access, security and confidentiality, controllability, risk-based management, responsible innovation, and encourage international cooperation.

From the perspective of examination, Chairman of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment (KH,CN&MT) Le Quang Huy said that the Committee basically agrees with the necessity of promulgating the law.

Regarding the semiconductor industry, the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment recommends research and development of outstanding and feasible incentive policies, consideration of supplementing some regulations on incentive policies for experts and scientists; regulations on ensuring the provision of infrastructure, especially clean electricity and clean water.

At the same time, it is necessary to study and supplement regulations to stimulate demand and develop the domestic market for semiconductor products produced by domestic enterprises; and to more clearly define the responsibilities of foreign investors in the training of high-quality human resources, technology transfer, machinery, equipment, etc., as appropriate.

Regarding artificial intelligence, according to Mr. Huy, some opinions say that the regulations as in the draft law are basically reasonable.

However, there are opinions that it is necessary to conduct comprehensive research (including issues of ownership and property rights and personal rights to data, issues of respecting copyright, etc.) to build a separate law on artificial intelligence (AI) in Vietnam.

The Committee on Science, Technology and Environment believes that at this time, Vietnam needs to have a legal basis to regulate artificial intelligence to develop the strengths and advantages of AI while limiting adverse impacts in research, application and development of AI technology.

Therefore, the necessity and scope and level of regulation on AI systems in the draft Law are basically approved.

However, it is recommended to study and supplement regulations to limit the risks and impacts of AI technology on economic and social life, such as ethical principles, research, and development of AI created by Vietnam.

In addition, it is necessary to allow enterprises with research projects on artificial intelligence to use data sources from state agencies; regulate the level of application of artificial intelligence in state agencies from solutions owned by domestic enterprises (to encourage use and create markets).