THE HANOI TIMES — The Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) has launched VNPT AI, a new company responsible for bringing Vietnamese-made artificial intelligence (AI) products to international markets, with initial targets including the United States and Japan.

The move signals a strategic shift from using AI mainly as a support tool to commercializing AI-driven products on a global scale, following VNPT’s years of sustained investment in AI infrastructure and human resources.

According to the group, the new company marks a transition from experimentation to full-scale product development and market deployment.

VNPT AI is built on the group’s strong data and computing infrastructure, including about 20 petabytes of data storage, the capacity to process nearly 20 terabytes of data each day and high-performance computing systems capable of hundreds of petaflops. This capacity enables the development of large AI models that support national-level applications.

Alongside its infrastructure, VNPT AI brings together more than 200 AI experts and data scientists trained in Vietnam and overseas, many of whom have built their skills through real-world problem-solving in domestic projects.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung said VNPT’s decision to establish VNPT AI with a clear “go global” ambition was both bold and timely.

He said the group’s transformation from a traditional telecommunications provider into a technology-driven enterprise aligns with national “Make in Vietnam” and “Go Global” strategies, which emphasize mastery of core technologies and international competitiveness.

Such a path, he added, requires long-term investment, strong determination and breakthrough thinking.

AI is among the 11 strategic technology groups approved by the Prime Minister in June, covering key product areas such as Vietnamese large language models, virtual assistants, domain-specific AI and analytical AI.

The Ministry of Science and Technology has also identified major national challenges in AI, with a focus on virtual assistants and Vietnamese-language models capable of deep contextual understanding across different sectors.

VNPT AI aims to take a leading role in researching, developing and mastering AI models, with a strong emphasis on practical applications. Initial deployment within VNPT will serve as a testing ground for wider domestic adoption before expansion into international markets, said VNPT General Director Huynh Quang Liem.

According to VNPT AI CEO Nguyen Tien Cuong, the company will prioritize building a comprehensive AI and generative AI ecosystem to serve both VNPT affiliates and external clients.

"Its first phase of international expansion will target markets such as the United States, Singapore, Australia, Dubai, Japan and South Korea," said Cuong.

To support this strategy, the group plans to expand its AI laboratories and high-performance computing capacity to at least 20 times current levels.

After seven years of investment, VNPT’s AI platforms have already processed billions of transactions, with products such as eKYC systems, virtual assistants and administrative chatbots serving tens of millions of users across government agencies, businesses, banks and the wider public.