Undergraduate

AI is profoundly changing the way people learn, conduct research, and access knowledge, but it cannot replace humans. With rapid technological advances, higher education needs to transform and harness AI while keeping humans at the center.

At the opening ceremony for the 2026 -2027 academic year and the welcome ceremony for K32 freshmen at Duy Tan University (DTU), DTU Provost Dr. Le Nguyen Bao and Samsung Vietnam CEO Mr. Na Ki-hong dedicated considerable time to sharing their perspectives with the new students on the changes that artificial intelligence (AI) is bringing to higher education.

The ceremony was also attended by Phan Thai Binh, Vice Chairman of the Danang People’s Committee; leaders from various municipal departments and local authorities; and Samsung Vietnam executives.

When AI changes the learning journey

According to Dr. Bao, college remains a particularly important stage in every person’s journey of growth. Besides providing knowledge, it also offers an environment where students can interact, mature, and develop their own values. The rapid development of AI, however, is beginning to change the learning journey itself.

Hero of Labor and Distinguished Teacher Le Cong Co, DTU Chairman, beat the drum to open the new academic year

He described this as an “AI revolution” that will open up entirely new ways to acquire knowledge. While learning in the past was primarily associated with classrooms, textbooks, and teachers, technology now allows students to access knowledge through online learning, e-learning, and AI tools tailored to individual learners.

Dr. Bao said that the pace of AI development could bring about major changes in higher education, potentially reaching a point at which universities no longer play the role they do today but instead focus more on research.

Recalling discussions with several foreign professors about the possibility that the university model could undergo profound changes by 2030–2035, he suggested that major universities could evolve into research institutes, while people learn through generative AI and chatbots that serve as personal tutors for individual learners.

Looking at further technological development, the DTU provost raised a question: If people can acquire knowledge directly through technology, will universities still be necessary?

DTU Provost Dr. Bao shared his views on the pace of AI development

According to him, this is not an easy question. However, regardless of how far AI advances, universities with established brands will still be there, because people choose a university not only to acquire knowledge but also for its reputation, environment, and the values it has built.

“Ultimately, the development of AI is aimed at serving humans,” he emphasized. “The ultimate customers of AI are still humans. It’s humans who build society, advance civilization, and determine what the true values of life are.”

From AI to a new education ecosystem

Mr. Na Ki-hong, CEO of Samsung Vietnam, said that this was more than the beginning of a new academic year, but also “the starting point of a journey to build the core capabilities to adapt to a world that is rapidly changing under the impact of AI.”

Samsung Vietnam CEO Mr. Na at the opening ceremony for DTU’s new academic year

Samsung believes that investing in people is the most valuable and sustainable form of investment. While factories can be built in a few years, developing a generation of engineers with creativity, responsibility, and a global outlook requires sustained cooperation between government, universities, and businesses.

Samsung Innovation Campus, a program which provides free training in AI, IoT, big data, and semiconductors, is evidence of that commitment. DTU is a special partner, having signed an agreement for the first program in Central Vietnam in 2023.

The Samsung Vietnam CEO highly appreciated DTU’s vision of going beyond expanding AI-related majors to pursue a comprehensive transformation in which AI becomes a core foundation for training, research, and operations. He also emphasized that universities specializing in AI must build ecosystems that enable students to apply technology “creatively, safely, responsibly, and with humans central”. Samsung is committed to expanding its partnership with DTU and jointly developing a highly skilled technical workforce for Danang, Central Vietnam, and the country as a whole.

Mr. Na added that, going forward, AI should not only generate practical value for society, but universities must also build academic and innovation ecosystems that enable students to apply AI creatively, safely, responsibly, and with humans central.

These efforts can help address challenges facing local communities and the country. “You’re beginning your journey as university students in the era of AI and digital transformation,” the Samsung Vietnam CEO said. “I hope you’ll nurture great ambitions, think boldly, take action, and continually develop your creativity. In Korea we say, ‘Starting is already half the journey.’ A good beginning is important to the entire journey ahead. Samsung believes that you’ll be successful on this new journey with the strong foundation provided by DTU, the dedication and expertise of its lecturers, and the support of its business partners.”

According to representatives of DTU, the results of the university’s collaboration with Samsung Vietnam in recent years show that AI is becoming increasingly integrated into the university environment - not only in teaching content, but also in research, technology applications, and connections with businesses. DTU offers students advantages that extend beyond acquiring knowledge to include opportunities to work with researchers, participate in research projects, gain exposure to businesses, and expand their career opportunities.

With the advances in AI, the challenge for higher education is no longer simply to equip students with knowledge of yet another technology, but to prepare them to adapt to a constantly evolving technology environment while preserving their creativity, responsibility, and agency as human beings.

Leaders of the Danang People’s Committee and DTU press the button to launch the DTU School of Data & AI

The results of these collaboration in recent years show that AI is becoming increasingly integrated into the university environment - not only in teaching content, but also in research, technology applications, and connections with businesses. DTU offers students advantages that extend beyond acquiring knowledge to include opportunities to work with researchers, participate in research projects, gain exposure to businesses, and expand their career opportunities.

With the advances in AI, the challenge for higher education is no longer simply to equip students with knowledge of yet another technology, but to prepare them to adapt to a constantly evolving technology environment while preserving their creativity, responsibility, and agency as human beings.

(Media Center)