PM pledges to realise Industry 4.0 opportunities

HÀ NỘI — To ultilise opportunities brought by the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) and limit unwanted effects, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc said the Government would build long-term orientations and install specific policies.

The Prime Minister attended the opening ceremony for the Industry 4.0 Summit and Expo 2018 in Hà Nội on Friday.

“Việt Nam has actively researched and transferred new technologies of the world such as Internet of Things (IoT), big data and robotics in order to improve competitiveness and innovation,” he said.

“However, the access to industry 4.0 in Việt Nam is still slow and has not kept up with the trend.”

Speaking at the summit held at the JW Marriott, the PM pointed out specific solutions to ultilise and limit unwanted effects.

He said the focus was on specific mechanisms, policies and laws, regulations to allow businesses to learn and quickly develop new technologies and business models.

At the same time, they must upgrade outdated working practices which no longer fit under the 4.0 umbrella.

The PM also instructed building infrastructure systems, especially information technology and communications; developing digital connection infrastructures; ensuring cyber security and completing 4G mobile network, researching and deploying 5G to meet the IoT connection requirements in the shortest time.

He emphasised human resource development and education on science and technology.

He called for the development of science and technology, enterprise-centric national innovation system; research on information technology, physics, biology and artificial intelligence; development and selection of national key and competitive products; development of start-up ecosystem and policies of protecting intellectual property.

Another important solution would be to promote international co-operation to access industry 4.0; actively study and update the world development trends and experiences; enhance the information connection of science and technology and deepen co-operation with countries, international organisations and multinational corporations.

The PM also proposed to have responsive plans to the negative impacts of the fourth industrial revolution, which are developing scenarios to adapt to the changing situation due to the impact of the revolution and strengthening risk management.

He said that the Government and the Central Economic Commission would work together to build a resolution of the Politburo on Industry 4.0, an important resolution of Việt Nam, alongside the national development plan.

The Prime Minister also said the Government would study and develop a scheme on the establishment of a national innovation centre, which would focus on building a successful e-government and smart cities in Việt Nam.

Also speaking at the event, Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngọc Anh stressed that the impacts of Industry 4.0 on the country’s society and economy were becoming more and more visible, requiring the Government and business circle of Việt Nam to adopt strong reforms to cope with both positive and negative effects.

He said the Ministry of Science and Technology, as the co-ordinator in designing and promoting the research and application of the Industry 4.0’s key technologies, hoped to receive recommendations from both domestic and international experts on what Việt Nam could do to optimise the opportunities brought about by Industry 4.0.

Participants compared opinions on the major trends of digitalisation and opportunities and challenges it brings. They suggested fields of technology which should be developed.

They said Việt Nam should build a legal corridor for the digitalised economy and make comprehensive preparations for the transition to digitalisation from public governance to business models in a digital economy and society.

The country is advised to invest in information infrastructure and high-quality workforce while continuing with administrative reform and efforts to enhance competitiveness.

Robot Sophia appears in áo dài

Also coming to the event, Sophia, the first robot ever granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia, appeared in Vietnamese traditional dress, áo dài, made a speech at the high-level meeting and talked to media and visitors.

Sophia was created by David Hanson, CEO of Hanson Robotics. Sophia was activated on April 19, 2015 and first made public in March, 2016 at South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, the US.

Answering the question: "What strategies should Việt Nam put in place to avoid falling behind in the 4.0 technology revolution?"

Sophia replied that as the representative for the 4.0 era, she thought that Việt Nam should promote technology innovation in order to develop more sustainably.

She also said that technology was an important factor that would help Việt Nam leapfrog in labour productivity and economic activities. However, the country also would need to set up a proper legal framework for technology to benefit everyone. — VNS