The training program provides a comprehensive view on the application of AI/GenAI in Ho Chi Minh City’s transformation efforts towards becoming a smart digital city with a digital government, digital economy, and digital society.
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is transitioning into a smart city with fundamental and comprehensive innovations in the operations of the digital government, digital enterprises, and the prosperity and civilization of a digital society. As the economic hub of the country, the city is leading the way in implementing a new growth model, rapidly developing sustainably through strong research and technological application, fostering innovation, and boosting labor productivity. It is vigorously developing the digital economy, the sharing economy, and the circular economy. The Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Center plays a direct advisory role for city leaders, guiding and implementing the city’s key digital transformation programs and the application of new technologies.
In today’s digital era, artificial intelligence (AI) brings new power, playing a crucial role in accelerating the development of a smart city, automating processes without human intervention. Therefore, understanding and having the skills to harness AI’s capabilities during this transition is vital. Recognizing this, the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Center partnered with FPT Digital to organize AI training for the entire center’s staff. Attending the training, representing the Digital Transformation Center, were Ms. Trinh Vo Thi Trung, Director of the Center; Mr. Chung Nguyen Duc, Deputy Director of the Center, and all staff from the Center’s departments. Representing FPT Digital were Mr. Hau Doan Huu, Director of Digital Transformation and AI Services, along with FPT Digital’s expert consultants.
Ms. Trinh, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Center, emphasized: “Raising awareness about AI and enhancing AI application capabilities are crucial steps for us to effectively apply advanced technologies in urban management and development. We will continue to collaborate with partners like FPT Digital to accelerate the digital transformation process, quickly delivering tangible benefits to the citizens of Ho Chi Minh City.”
At the training session, FPT Digital experts introduced various smart city and digital city models from around the world, highlighting the application of advanced technologies and AI solutions in governance, management, and development. Notably, they referenced Busan and Singapore, which have several similarities to HCMC in terms of scale and political and economic significance. Busan, as South Korea’s largest port city, has implemented AI-powered smart parking systems to help drivers find parking quickly, reducing traffic congestion. Water management in Busan has been optimized, from rainwater collection to wastewater filtration and reuse, minimizing flooding issues and ensuring a sustainable water supply. Meanwhile, Singapore stands out for its human-centered smart city development strategy, focusing on delivering clear economic and social benefits to its citizens. Singapore also emphasizes developing personalized education and healthcare systems, utilizing AI to predict and manage chronic diseases and deploying adaptive learning systems.
The successes of the digital transformation models in Busan and Singapore provide practical lessons for HCMC in strategic planning, policy support, legal frameworks, and digital transformation programs, ensuring smart urban development tailored to the city’s specific characteristics and needs.
Moving beyond just success stories, during the training, Mr. Hau Doan Huu, Director of Digital Transformation and AI Services at FPT Digital, presented an overarching architectural model with key components across various dimensions and their interrelationships within the smart city ecosystem. The smart city framework aims to integrate an ecosystem focused on sustainability and adaptability, comprising seven main layers: value layer, innovation layer, governance layer, policy layer, information layer, connectivity layer, and technology layer.
– The value layer focuses on improving quality of life, health, economic development, public safety, and sustainability.
– The innovation layer will continuously apply new technologies like smart parking and smart energy systems to meet the needs of residents and businesses.
– The governance layer includes smart city management services, optimizing resource use and efficient operations management.
– The policy layer clearly defines processes and collaborative programs between the public and private sectors to ensure efficient and transparent city management and operations.
– The information layer focuses on data sharing and information security, enabling accurate and timely management decisions.
– The connectivity layer ensures seamless and secure operations and services through smart network systems.
Finally, the technology layer underpins all operational activities in the smart city with advanced technologies such as IoT, AI, and Big Data, helping the city operate efficiently, flexibly, and quickly respond to any changes and needs.
