Embracing Inclusive AI is crucial for Vietnam to maintain human progress, asserts UNDP

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaping up to be both a hurdle and a savior in the face of a major slowdown in global human development. In an exclusive chat with Vietnam News correspondent Khánh Linh, Ramla Khalidi, UNDP's Resident Rep in Vietnam, discusses the crucial insights from the 2025 Human Development Report, explores the implications for Vietnam's development path, and sheds light on how the country can harness AI to bridge inequality chasms and foster a more equitable future.

So, what are the main causes behind the unusually steep deceleration in global human development as per the 2025 Human Development Report?

UNDP's 2025 Human Development Report reveals that global progress in human development has hit a major roadblock, even halting in some areas. The roots of this slowdown are interwoven: persistent inequality, the intensifying effects of climate change, geopolitical discord, and economic instability.

More recently, AI has surfaced as a significant force, with its rapid rise creating a divide between nations that are thriving in digital innovation and those that are lagging behind. This gap in AI capabilities threatens to exacerbate existing socio-economic disparities across education, income, and opportunities.

In essence, not only are we witnessing a stagnation in human development, but we are also observing a divergence—a gap that could define the next decade if action isn't taken swiftly, particularly in promoting inclusive digital transitions.

Given this state of affairs, what are the prospects of the global goal of reaching very high human development by 2030 and the potential consequences if we miss this target?

Given the evidence in the report, it's unfortunately highly probable that the 2030 goal will be delayed. For many nations, advancements in health, education, and income have stalled or even retrograded.

The repercussions of missing this target extend beyond missed goals on a global scorecard. They are deeply human, meaning more preventable deaths from diseases, more children excluded from schooling, and more working-age adults unable to adapt to a rapidly transforming economy. Furthermore, as AI accelerates global transformation, the costs of inaction become increasingly steep. Neglecting to bridge digital and capability gaps, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, could establish a digital underclass, excluded not only from opportunities but from the very rules and tools of the future. When aimed with conscious purpose, AI has the power to diminish inequalities, create new opportunities, boost productivity, and enhance the sustainability and resilience of economies worldwide.

Despite Vietnam's impressive progress, inequality remains a persistent challenge. In your view, which forms of inequality are currently the most urgent to tackle in order to support more inclusive development in Vietnam?

Vietnam's developmental journey has been remarkably successful. Since 1990, the country has lifted millions from poverty, expanded access to education, and achieved near-universal internet coverage. However, beneath this progress, several inequalities persist, and they threaten to widen if not addressed decisively.

First and foremost, there's the urban-rural divide. While cities flourish, many rural and remote communities still encounter impediments to opportunity, from infrastructure deficiencies to limited access to quality healthcare and education.

Second, ethnic disparities persist and affect life outcomes. For instance, ethnic minority students are less likely to complete upper secondary school, and upland communities often lack digital connectivity altogether.

Third, gender gaps are prevalent, particularly in tech fields. Women are underrepresented in AI-related and STEM jobs, as well as in leadership positions, and usually have less access to digital skills training.

Fourth, the digital divide remains a substantial hurdle. While mobile broadband use is widespread, digital confidence and advanced skills are unevenly dispersed.

Lastly, Vietnam's significant informal workforce, over 68% of the labor force, remains largely unprotected and highly vulnerable to automation.

For inclusive development to remain Vietnam's goal, addressing these five dimensions of inequality is crucial.

In light of the report presenting AI as a potential catalyst for renewed human development, what should be the initial steps in Vietnam to ensure that AI benefits all communities and leaves no one behind?

The primary move is to place inclusion at the core of Vietnam's AI strategy, not just in rhetoric but in design, implementation, and evaluation.

That means ensuring everyone—regardless of where they live, what language they speak, or what profession they have—can access the infrastructure, tools, and skills necessary to leverage AI. To accomplish this, the expansion of connectivity to rural and mountainous regions, where infrastructure deficiencies persist, is vital. Additionally, the scale-up of digital literacy and AI education, particularly for vulnerable communities—ethnic minorities, women, the disabled, and informal workers—is imperative.

AI tools must also be adapted to operate in our local language and ethnic minority dialects and redesigned to cater to the real-world needs of farmers, educators, and healthcare professionals in Vietnam. For example, a rice farmer benefiting from smart irrigation alerts, a village schoolteacher using an AI-powered lesson platform, or a clinic assistant utilizing AI diagnostics—all of these illustrate how inclusion can be transformed from concept to reality.

UNDP is working closely with the government to pinpoint these opportunities and guarantee that AI deployments actively lessen, rather than exacerbate, existing inequalities.

Ramla Khalidi, UNDP Resident Representative in Việt Nam speaks at the launch of the 2025 Human Development Report. Photo courtesy of UNDP

Finally, based on the key findings of the 2025 Human Development Report, what policy recommendations would you offer to our Vietnamese policymakers for improving health, education, and income equality?

UNDP suggests that Vietnam focuses on three interconnected areas.

First, investments in foundational human abilities must be prioritized. This encompasses education, healthcare, social protection, and digital skills for all. Universal access to quality services is not only a social concern but a strategic necessity for navigating technological change. For instance, guaranteeing that factory workers can reskill, that ethnic girls can complete STEM education, and that informal workers can access healthcare—all of these are vital steps for an inclusive AI transition.

Second, digital infrastructure should be treated as a public good. This means ensuring that national data centers, open datasets, public AI models, and digital platforms serve the public interest, not just private interests. These digital commons can help level the playing field for local innovators, small businesses, and underserved communities.

And third, governance frameworks must be tightened to ensure ethical and inclusive AI usage. Vietnam is already taking steps in this direction, with the Law on Data, the creation of a National Data Center, and efforts to develop local language models. The next step is to solidify clear legal and ethical guidelines that foster transparency, accountability, and citizen trust.

UNDP is prepared to back Vietnam in these endeavors, through the sharing of best international practices, the gathering of diverse voices, and the piloting of solutions that ensure AI becomes a tool for inclusive, sustainable, and human-centered development. - VNS

AI is posing challenges as well as potential solutions for the slowdown in global human development.
The UNDP's 2025 Human Development Report indicates a halt in progress in some areas of human development worldwide.
Inequality, climate change, geopolitical discord, and economic instability are identified as key contributors to the global human development slowdown.
AI's rapid growth creates a divide between digitally innovative nations and those lagging behind, possibly widening socio-economic disparities.
Human development stagnation is not only observed but also a divergence between nations.
Missing the global goal of very high human development by 2030 would have profound human consequences, including more preventable deaths, excluded children from schooling, and unemployed working-age adults.
Neglecting digital and capability gaps in low- and middle-income countries could create a digital underclass.
Inclusive digital transitions are crucial to bridging the gap and fostering a more equitable future.
Vietnam has a remarkable development journey, but persistent inequalities remain a concern.
Urban-rural divide, ethnic disparities, gender gaps, digital divide, and vulnerable informal workforce are key areas of inequality in Vietnam.
AI should be included at the core of Vietnam's AI strategy, prioritizing inclusion in design, implementation, and evaluation.
Expanding connectivity to rural and mountainous regions, increasing digital literacy, and providing AI education are crucial steps towards ensuring inclusivity.
AI tools should be adapted to local languages and ethnic minority dialects, catering to the needs of various professions.
UNDP works closely with the government to ensure AI benefits all communities and leaves no one behind.
Ramla Khalidi, UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam has emphasized the importance of inclusion in AI strategy.
The focus should be on prioritizing investments in foundational human abilities, such as education, healthcare, and digital skills for all.
Digital infrastructure should be treated as a public good, ensuring it serves the public interest.
Governance frameworks must be tightened to ensure ethical and inclusive AI usage.
Vietnam is taking steps towards ethical and inclusive AI usage, with the Law on Data, National Data Center, and local language models.
Clear legal and ethical guidelines are essential for fostering transparency, accountability, and citizen trust.
The ultimate goal is to leverage AI for inclusive, sustainable, and human-centered development.
UNDP is prepared to support Vietnam in these endeavors, sharing best practices, gathering diverse voices, and piloting solutions.
The 2025 Human Development Report suggests that health, education, and income inequality should be addressed in policies.
Education, healthcare, social protection, and digital skills should be prioritized for universal access to quality services.
Digital infrastructure should be considered a public good, serving the public interest and empowering local innovators and underserved communities.
Solid governance frameworks are necessary for ethical and inclusive AI usage, promoting transparency, accountability, and trust.27.Policy recommendations focusing on health, education, and income equality can contribute to more inclusive development.
Investments in foundational human abilities are not only a social concern but also a strategic necessity for navigating technological change.
Ethnic minorities, women, the disabled, and informal workers should be prioritized in digital literacy and AI education.
The growing importance of AI in various industries necessitates political will to invest in human capital and promote digital inclusion.
Jobs in AI and related technologies are promising for economic growth and development but should be inclusive and accessible to all.
Science, technology, and culture should work together to create a more equitable society, leveraging the transformative power of AI.
AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, from diagnostics to personalized treatments, but ethical considerations are crucial to minimize harm and maximize benefits.
Addressing mental health issues in the workplace is important for promoting workplace wellness and reducing chronic diseases, creating a healthier and more productive workforce.

Embracing Inclusive AI is crucial for Vietnam to maintain human progress, asserts UNDP