U.S. Organizes Regional Conference on AI in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The United States is organizing a regional conference on artificial intelligence (AI) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, aimed at bringing together government officials, industry leaders, and experts from the Asia-Pacific region. The conference, which is part of the U.S. government's efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and promote the responsible use of AI, is anticipated to facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing on AI-related policies, regulations, and best practices.

The three-day workshop, titled "AI Connect II Asia Regional Workshop," kicked off on Monday, April 22, 2024. It is jointly organized by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, the Atlantic Council's GeoTech Center, and Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology. The event has brought together representatives from governments, tech firms, and AI institutions from 15 countries in the region, as well as 44 selected participants in the U.S.-initiated AI Connect II program from South and Southeast Asia.

Why this matters: The conference functions as a platform for discussing the nuanced challenges of AI policy and implementation across the Asia-Pacific region, investigating the best AI approaches for the region, and empowering low- and middle-income countries to participate more effectively in global conversations on AI policy.

The AI Connect II program is designed to bolster the responsible stewardship of AI technologies in line with the OECD's AI Principles. The Atlantic Council will work with fellows to support their countries' efforts to develop robust AI strategies, nurture connections within the region, and ensure these conversations are inclusive of the unique contexts of their countries.

On April 23, the conference featured presentations from representatives of various universities in Vietnam, including the University of Technology, the University of Science, and the University of Information Technology (UIT), who shared their AI training programs and research activities. The workshop also included a presentation by a Philippine government expert on current AI human resources trends.

"The workshop aimed to advance responsible AI development and policy across the region, provide a platform for networking and collaboration, and empower low- and middle-income countries to participate more effectively in global conversations on AI policy," stated a representative from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy.

Key Takeaways

• U.S. hosts regional AI conference in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
• Conference aims to promote responsible AI use, facilitate collaboration.
• Participants include government officials, industry leaders, AI experts.
• Conference features presentations on AI training, research, and policy.
• Empowers low- and middle-income countries in global AI conversations.