How do you view Vietnam’s IT industry under the AI wave?

Vietnam’s IT sector has continued its impressive growth in 2024. According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, the revenue of the digital technology industry reached nearly $118 billion in the first nine months of 2024, a 17.8 per cent increase on-year.

Phan Thanh Hien, director of Product and Engineering at Navigos Group

This rapid growth highlights the importance of IT in post-pandemic business transformation. As companies focus on digitalisation, automation, and optimisation, IT has become integral to their operational efficiency.

The role of AI, particularly generative AI, has become increasingly prominent. In the past, AI research and development required significant investment and large teams. However, with the rise of GenAI, even small teams can create impactful changes in short timeframes if they leverage its potential effectively. This offers tremendous opportunities for businesses not only to streamline operations, but also to innovate using AI-driven solutions.

Which IT roles might AI replace, and which new roles will emerge?

In the immediate future, AI isn’t expected to fully replace any specific IT role. AI solutions still require collaboration between humans and machines to achieve optimal results. However, AI will significantly enhance the efficiency of many roles, particularly for developers, testers, and UX/UI designers. Professionals who adapt to AI will have a competitive edge over those sticking to traditional methods, potentially leading to a higher risk of redundancy for those resistant to change.

Rather than creating entirely new roles, AI will transform how existing roles are executed. Most positions will require a shift in skills to maximise AI’s potential. For example, developers will need to learn how to use AI for generating code, focusing more on solution design and code review. Quality control professionals will need to use AI to automate test cases, improving both speed and accuracy.

While AI will streamline many aspects of IT work, the human role in testing, evaluation, and optimisation will remain essential, particularly in refining and ensuring AI output is of high quality.

What challenges do IT professionals and the recruitment industry face with AI, and how can they adapt?

The greatest challenge IT professionals and recruitment face isn’t the technology itself, but the ability to adapt to it. GenAI opens up numerous opportunities, but it also demands changes in traditional working methods. IT professionals and companies must see AI not as an obstacle but as a tool to enhance productivity, improve customer experiences, and create value more effectively.

To overcome this challenge, IT personnel and businesses need to adopt a flexible mindset and be open to learning new skills. Professionals must equip themselves with modern AI tools to optimise their work by reducing manual tasks and focusing on more strategic and creative endeavours. On the business side, investment in training and fostering a culture of technological adoption is essential to ensure employees can fully harness AI’s potential.

In essence, adapting to AI’s rise will depend on both individual and organisational willingness to learn and integrate this technology. With the right approach, AI will become a powerful tool rather than a hurdle.

What strategies should businesses implement to retain top IT talent in the AI era?

Retaining top IT talent requires creating an attractive work environment and providing ample growth opportunities. Businesses must recognise that IT, particularly AI, is essential for competitive advantage in today’s digital transformation landscape. They must set ambitious goals and invest appropriately in their IT teams to support these objectives.

IT professionals are often drawn to environments that offer creativity, innovation, and the chance to work on complex projects that deliver real value. Providing opportunities to work on meaningful projects and ensuring adequate recognition of their contributions will help businesses engage and retain the best talent. Additionally, creating clear paths for career advancement is key to retaining high-performing professionals.

Cultivating a culture of technological innovation, where AI and other cutting-edge technologies play a central role, will further help businesses remain competitive and appealing to top talent in the IT sector.

In conclusion, the rise of AI in Vietnam’s IT industry presents both opportunities and challenges. While some roles may change, the importance of human skills in guiding, testing, and improving AI outputs will remain. With the right strategies and adaptability, both businesses and professionals can thrive in this evolving landscape.