Ministry of Science and Technology to promote AI-powered essential public services from 2026
The Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) has established a groundbreaking objective: 100% of essential public services are to utilize artificial intelligence (AI), aiming for a fundamental transformation in service quality for citizens and enterprises, as well as national governance efficiency.
Comprehensive digital transformation with AI as the foundational technology
According to MST, 2026 will be a pivotal year for Vietnam to transition from foundational development to achieving substantive results in digital transformation.
The primary focus remains the synchronized implementation of digital transformation across all state management sectors, with AI serving as the cornerstone technology to enhance governance models, public service delivery, and interactions between the State and its stakeholders.
The objective is to bring Vietnam's E-government and online public service indices into the world's Top 65, while targeting a 70% full-process online document submission rate. Notably, 100% of essential public services will incorporate AI, covering receipt, classification, processing, and user support.
The application of AI not only helps shorten the time for administrative procedures and reduces social costs but also contributes to enhancing transparency, monitoring capabilities, and the quality of decision-making by state management agencies.
In parallel, the Ministry of Science and Technology aims for 100% digital literacy among civil servants and level-3 data governance maturity across all governmental bodies, creating a solid foundation for nationwide AI implementation. Data is considered the “strategic resource” of the digital age and a prerequisite for AI to operate effectively.
A key pillar to realizing the goal of comprehensive AI application in public services is the perfection of institutions and a legal corridor suitable for the AI era.
AI Law to address 6 core focal areas
The 15th National Assembly has passed the Law on AI (Law No. 134/2025/QH15), which is seen as an inevitable and historically significant step. This is an important legal tool designed to both create space for innovation and effectively manage potential risks posed by AI.
Mr. Tran Van Son, Deputy Director General of the National Institute of Digital Technology and Digital Transformation under MST, stated at a recent press conference that Vietnam's AI Law aims for the dual goal of filling legal gaps for emerging AI applications while shifting from a passive management mindset to a proactive, enabling one.
Through this, the law contributes to institutionalizing the Party's guidelines and shaping AI as the core economic growth driver of the nation.
Vietnam's AI Law is built on the principle of a human-centric approach, ensuring that AI is developed and applied safely, transparently, and responsibly for the benefit of society. AI is identified as a supporting tool that does not replace the decisive role of humans; AI development must go hand in hand with protecting national interests and citizens' rights.
The Law on AI is designed as a framework law, consisting of 8 chapters and 35 articles, focusing on foundational principles while delegating the Government to provide detailed regulations to adapt to technological changes.
The Law on AI focuses on addressing 6 focal groups of issues:
First, establishing principles and policies for AI development, affirming the State's role in managing, coordinating, and creating the national AI ecosystem to ensure development for people.
Second, establishing a risk-based management mechanism to ensure that AI is developed and applied safely, transparently, and controllably, while remaining flexible to encourage innovation.
Third, developing infrastructure and national AI sovereignty, including data infrastructure, computing infrastructure, and shared platforms to ensure security, safety, and technological autonomy.
Fourth, promoting the innovation ecosystem and human resource development through policies supporting research, investment, and high-quality human resource training.
Fifth, stipulating ethics and responsibilities in AI activities, issuing a national AI ethical framework to ensure no harm, no discrimination, and respect for human values.
Sixth, strengthening monitoring, inspection, and handling of violations to build social trust in the development and application of AI.
With the goal of 100% of essential public services applying AI, along with a synchronized legal system and implementation tasks across all fields, MST expects that 2026 will create a fundamental shift in national digital transformation, enhancing competitiveness, governance efficiency, and the quality of service for citizens and businesses in the digital age./.
Copyright belongs to the Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology (VJST-MOST).
