China’s recently launched DeepSeek AI tool has caused global panic and awakened Western tech giants who have long prided themselves on leading in AI development. Many countries have banned its use due to concerns over the collection of users’ personal data.
In Vietnam, AI tools are increasingly being used to support daily life and work. Experts suggest that while we should embrace new AI tools like DeepSeek, we must also be cautious in their usage.
DeepSeek: Opportunities and Challenges in Vietnam
In an interview with Dân trí, Mr. Lê Sĩ Hoàng, Operations Director at SmartDev International Production Center, stated: “DeepSeek has demonstrated China’s creative capabilities in the field of AI, particularly under US sanctions that prevent access to advanced hardware from Nvidia, a crucial factor in current AI development. This model has caught up with American tech companies in the AI race. Notably, DeepSeek offers completely free use of its large language models without any limitations. This allows businesses and companies to develop their own commercial AI products.”
Dr. Đào Hữu Hùng from the Computer Science Department at Keio University, Japan, concurred: “Open-source code enables developers to create smarter AI models capable of handling larger datasets. This is an opportunity for individuals and small-to-medium enterprises in Vietnam to build unique AI solutions at lower costs.”
With DeepSeek, small and medium-sized businesses can enhance operational efficiency, optimize processes, and create new products and services with limited budgets.
This tool supports various applications such as customer service chatbots, production optimization, machine error prediction, inventory management, content creation, and customer data analysis, thereby personalizing shopping experiences.
Mr. Trịnh Quang Thưởng, Business Director at Pama, noted: “DeepSeek’s unique feature is its ability to allow businesses to customize and develop AI applications tailored to specific needs in the Vietnamese market. It promotes creativity and innovation in AI, given Vietnam’s reputation for creativity.”
DeepSeek is 30 times cheaper than OpenAI’s o1 and o3 models, making large language models more affordable and bringing AI closer to everyone.
While DeepSeek presents numerous opportunities, it also poses significant challenges. Overcoming these challenges is essential to fully capitalize on the opportunities. Vietnam, like other nations, faces fierce competition. To differentiate itself, Vietnam must create its own AI values rather than merely relying on existing tools like DeepSeek. This requires developing high-quality, culturally relevant AI models trained on Vietnamese data and behavior patterns.
According to Mr. Thưởng, Vietnam needs a skilled AI workforce to implement Model Parallel (MoE) applications effectively. High-quality training and cultural adaptation are necessary to maximize DeepSeek’s potential.
Additionally, ethical and legal considerations are paramount. Protecting personal data and preventing misuse by DeepSeek are critical issues that require solutions from Vietnamese enterprises.
Users Should Approach AI Information with Caution
Many users have reported inaccurate information from DeepSeek, especially regarding Vietnam’s territorial claims. Dr. Đào Hữu Hùng explained: “Vietnamese users are familiar with tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, which always include disclaimers about potential inaccuracies. First, the training data may not be accurate; second, AI models cannot achieve absolute precision.”
Mr. Hùng added: “DeepSeek likely employs Guardrails to prevent users from asking controversial questions. The goal is to develop AI, not political objectives.”
Mr. Trịnh Quang Thưởng advised users to verify information from multiple reliable sources when using AI tools, including DeepSeek. Understanding context is crucial to avoid misinterpretations, especially regarding political, historical, and national sovereignty issues. No AI tool is perfectly accurate, and it’s important to approach information critically.
Experts agree that even humans make mistakes, and expecting machines to be infallible is unrealistic, especially in the early stages of AI development.
Vietnam Must Be Ready to Embrace DeepSeek
Mr. Lê Sĩ Hoàng believes many Vietnamese have already used tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, so there’s no reason not to adopt DeepSeek. Whether from China or the U.S., these tools collect user data to improve their models. Users should be cautious about sharing personal or sensitive information.
Intelligent use of these tools is key. DeepSeek offers significant potential across various sectors, benefiting both businesses and users in Vietnam.
Vietnamese enterprises need to thoroughly restructure to adapt to the AI era. The Resolution 57 of the Politburo will accelerate the development of IoT, 5G, and AI technologies, creating a strong demand for AI in areas like finance, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and education.
