The AI War - The Role of Universities and the Proactive Orientation of Dai Nam University in the Artificial Intelligence Era

Entering the era of artificial intelligence (AI), the world no longer competes on resources or cheap labor, but on intellectual capacity and the ability to master technology. AI is gradually becoming the "brain" of every field – from education, healthcare, and economics to social governance. While in previous stages, lagging behind could be compensated for, with AI, a nation that lags behind easily falls into long-term dependence. Not mastering AI means dependence on technology, data, and even thinking from outside. Therefore, AI is no longer a trend, but a battle that cannot be lost.

In that battle, universities are on the front line. In the national AI ecosystem, universities play a particularly important role. They are not only places for training human resources, but also:

- The cradle of technological thinking

- Knowledge Dissemination Center

- A place connecting research, application, and society.

- A space for developing intellectual autonomy.

To build a strong national AI foundation, we must first have a team of instructors with sufficient competence, critical thinking skills, and technological expertise.

Training faculty members is the first and most important step. At Dai Nam University, AI is not approached as a trend, but rather as an essential requirement in faculty development.

The school clearly recognizes that, in order to train students for the AI era, it is essential to first train its faculty.

Accordingly, Dai Nam University is gradually:

- Enhancing AI capabilities for faculty members across various disciplines.

- Integrating AI into teaching, research, and administration.

- Develop a "digital age lecturer" mindset – knowing how to leverage AI as a tool to support academic learning, not to replace human thinking.

- Create opportunities for lecturers to access new technologies, new models, and new methods.

AI at Dai Nam is not intended to replace teachers, but rather to help teachers become stronger, more knowledgeable, and more effective in teaching, research, and mentoring students.

From the faculty - spreading to the students

Based on that foundation, student training is implemented in the following direction:

- Instead of teaching AI as a separate subject , integrate AI into each discipline and module, helping students understand how to apply AI in their specific field of expertise.

Students at Dai Nam University are given the following orientations:

- Know how to use AI intelligently and in a controlled manner.

- Understand the essence of technology, not be dependent on tools.

- Possesses data-driven thinking, systems thinking, and digital ethics.

- Willing to work in a highly digitized environment.

The goal is not to create "AI users," but rather people who master AI in their future careers.

Contributing to building the AI ecosystem in Vietnam.

Alongside its training programs, Dai Nam University actively participates in the AI ecosystem through:

- Connect with technology companies

- Participate in digital transformation activities

- Applications of AI in management and training

- Partnering with research and application projects that serve the community.

The school clearly defines that AI is only truly meaningful when it serves people, serves society, and is relevant to the Vietnamese context.

Training people to protect intellectual sovereignty.

The core principle in Dai Nam University's orientation is: Developing AI in parallel with protecting intellectual sovereignty and Vietnamese identity. Students are equipped not only with knowledge, but also with data awareness, a spirit of technological self-reliance, responsibility towards the digital society, and resilience in the face of global technological waves...

This is the foundation for Vietnam to move beyond becoming a "smart consumer" and gradually become a nation that masters digital knowledge.

The AI war is a long-term battle, requiring vision, courage, and perseverance. Universities play a central role in this war. And Dai Nam University has chosen to enter the game with the most sustainable path: training people – mastering knowledge – and contributing to the future of the country. AI is not the destination. AI is a tool for humanity to reach further. And Dai Nam University chooses to be the starting point for that journey.