AI is reshaping the global technology landscape, encouraging new international partnerships in AI development. Beyond the dominant players such as the United States and China, cooperation between Vietnam and the European Union is emerging as a promising opportunity. According to Dr. Nguyen Duy Cu, Vice President of the Association of Vietnamese Intellectuals in Belgium and Luxembourg (ViLaB), the two sides possess complementary strengths that could support deeper collaboration in AI innovation and applications.
1. A global AI race dominated by major powers
Today, the global AI landscape is largely dominated by two major players: the United States and China. Both countries benefit from strong technology infrastructure, massive data ecosystems, and leading technology companies capable of developing large-scale AI models.
However, Europe has increasingly recognized the strategic importance of AI. According to Dr. Nguyen Duy Cu, the region is aware that it may be moving more slowly than some global competitors, but it has begun taking decisive steps to strengthen its position.
Europe’s advantages lie in its strong scientific foundations, long-standing academic institutions, and well-established research ecosystems. Many EU countries have been investing in data centers, AI research facilities, and specialized training programs aimed at building long-term technological capabilities.
In addition, a growing number of European startups and technology companies are developing independent AI solutions. France, for example, has been working to establish a more autonomous AI ecosystem that includes computing infrastructure, research institutions, and algorithm development.
These initiatives reflect a broader ambition within Europe to strengthen technological sovereignty and reduce reliance on external platforms.
Dr. Nguyen Duy Cu
2. Vietnam’s emerging role in the AI ecosystem
While Europe provides strong scientific and technological foundations, Vietnam brings a different but equally valuable set of advantages.
One of Vietnam’s most important strengths is its young and rapidly growing technology workforce. Over the past decade, the country has produced a large number of engineers trained in computer science, data science, and AI. Vietnamese developers are widely recognized for their adaptability and ability to quickly adopt new technologies.
At the same time, the Vietnamese government and private sector have been increasing investments in digital transformation and AI development. This has created a more dynamic environment for research, experimentation, and technology deployment.
According to Dr. Nguyen Duy Cu, Vietnamese engineers can play an important role in several stages of the AI development pipeline, particularly in areas such as data processing, model validation, and application development. These capabilities allow Vietnam to participate meaningfully in global AI value chains.
Another important factor supporting collaboration is Vietnam’s relatively stable political and regulatory environment. Clearer policies and ongoing legal reforms related to digital technologies have made the country increasingly attractive for long-term technology partnerships.
3. Opportunities for deeper Vietnam-EU collaboration
Given these complementary strengths, experts believe that cooperation between Vietnam and the EU could take several forms.
One potential area is academic and research collaboration. Universities and research institutions from both regions could expand exchange programs, joint research projects, and shared laboratories focused on AI development.
Another promising direction lies in collaboration between businesses. Technology companies in Vietnam and Europe could work together to develop AI-driven solutions for global markets, accelerating the commercialization of new technologies.
AI is expected to impact nearly every sector of the economy, but in Vietnam, certain areas may benefit particularly quickly. Healthcare is one example where AI can assist with medical image analysis, disease diagnosis, and hospital management systems. Public administration is another area where AI-powered data analysis could help improve decision-making and public service delivery.
To strengthen cooperation in AI between Vietnam and the EU, Dr. Nguyen Duy Cu emphasizes three important factors. First, both sides should continue investing in human capital through exchanges of students, researchers, and AI specialists. Second, infrastructure development is essential, including the expansion of data centers and high-performance computing platforms required to train modern AI models. Finally, policy coordination and supportive regulatory frameworks will be crucial to ensure that innovation can flourish while maintaining responsible technology development.
4. The role of technology companies
As cross-border AI collaboration grows, technology companies will play an important role in turning research and ideas into real-world applications.
In Vietnam, a new generation of software firms is already integrating AI into product development processes. Vietnamese tech companies such as PowerGate Software, which positions itself as an AI-first software product studio, are embedding AI across multiple stages of the development lifecycle, from requirement analysis and design to coding, testing, and project management. This approach reflects a broader shift within the technology industry: moving beyond simply using AI tools toward building development systems where AI supports teams throughout the entire product lifecycle.
As Vietnam and the EU explore deeper collaboration in AI, such capabilities could help bridge the gap between research, engineering, and real-world applications.
PowerGate Software is an AI-first software product studio in Vietnam
With complementary strengths in scientific research, technology infrastructure, engineering talent, and policy stability, Vietnam and the European Union have significant potential to develop mutually beneficial partnerships in the AI era. If these collaborations continue to grow, they could not only accelerate innovation but also contribute to a more diverse and globally distributed AI ecosystem in the years ahead.
About PowerGate Software – AI-first software product studio
- Website: https://powergatesoftware.com/
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- Email: contact@powergatesoftware.com
