Artificial intelligence (AI) brings countless applications and benefits, changing the way we work, learn, and play. Given AI's substantial benefits, governments around the world are working with businesses to accelerate AI development domestically. Out of this, “sovereign AI” is emerging as a path toward a technologically self-reliant future.
1. What is sovereign AI, and why do countries need it?
Theo NVIDIA, sovereign AI — rendered in Vietnamese as “AI có chủ quyền”, “Tự chủ AI” or “AI độc lập” — refers to a country's ability to develop, deploy and govern artificial intelligence technologies on its own terms. That independence spans several dimensions: infrastructure, data, people and the wider business ecosystem. Building sovereign AI is bound up with the broader idea of digital sovereignty, under which control of digital technology is central to a nation's security, economic prosperity and autonomy in today's globalized world.
Sovereign AI gives countries the opportunity to build their own AI capability and make full use of domestic strengths to drive innovation and sustainable growth. By drawing on existing infrastructure, data assets, highly skilled people and a closely connected business ecosystem, countries can work towards technological self-reliance and improve their global competitiveness.
In essence, Sovereign AI represents a country's path towards self-directed innovation and a clearly defined position within the global AI landscape.
Recognizing the importance of sovereign AI, industry leaders including NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang and IBM Corp. CEO Arvind Krishna have spoken about the essential role it plays. Huang has argued that it matters for countries to control their own AI infrastructure in order to preserve their distinct cultural identity, saying that sovereign AI represents not only technological progress but also a means of preserving each nation's particular cultural, social and historical character.
2. The benefits and challenges of sovereign AI
2.1. Benefits of Sovereign AI
Sovereign AI is drawing attention from governments and businesses worldwide because of the benefits it delivers.
- Security: Sovereign AI gives countries full control over their own data, reducing the risk of data leaks and cyberattacks.
- Privacy: Sovereign AI lets countries exercise better control over their citizens' data. By storing data domestically and complying with privacy regulations, countries can protect their citizens' privacy and build trust in AI systems.
- Economic benefits: Developing a domestic AI industry drives economic growth by creating new jobs, stimulating innovation and attracting foreign investment. This can help countries strengthen their competitive position in the global AI market.
- Strategic advantages: AI capability is expected to be decisive in future technological and military competition. Sovereign AI helps countries develop their own AI capability and, with it, greater strategic autonomy and self-reliance.
2.2. Challenges of Sovereign AI
While pursuing Sovereign AI offers substantial potential benefits, governments and businesses also need to weigh significant challenges and risks.
- Cost: Building and maintaining independent AI infrastructure, talent and data sources can be expensive. Smaller countries with limited resources may struggle to compete with wealthier ones.
- Our direction: Developing AI independently can hinder international cooperation and the exchange of ideas and expertise with foreign companies. That can slow progress and waste resources by failing to draw on what already exists.
- Limited talent pool: Focusing solely on domestic human resources can limit access to the world's best AI experts. Striking a balance between developing local talent and attracting international experts is therefore essential to driving innovation and progress in AI.
3. How sovereign AI is developing worldwide and in Vietnam
Sovereign AI programs are expected to deliver significant benefits to nations, supporting economic growth, improving quality of life and strengthening security. Recognizing this, many countries are accelerating their sovereign AI efforts in order to take control of AI development and steer it toward their own conditions and needs. The United States and Japan are prominent examples, working in partnership with NVIDIA, the world's leading AI technology company.
The Vietnamese government has also been investing in the development of AI. This is reflected in Decision No. 127/QĐ-TTg, which issued the National Strategy on Research, Development and Application of Artificial Intelligence to 2030. On the path toward sovereign AI, HiTechCloud — Pho Tue SoftWare Solutions JSC — has established itself as a pioneer in Vietnam with the launch of its AI Factory, built in partnership with NVIDIA to provide a cloud platform for AI research and development. The AI Factory helps advance sovereign AI in Vietnam and strengthens the country's standing on the global technology map.
Become one of the first businesses to access the full toolset of FPT AI Factory.
4. What should countries do to develop sovereign AI?
Sovereign AI offers a significant opportunity for governments and businesses to assert their position and break through in a competitive market. To realize that potential, however, countries need specific, well-structured strategies and solutions.
- Investing in AI research and development
Governments and businesses should prioritize investment in AI research and development (R&D), including funding academic institutions, research centers, and AI-related initiatives, to accelerate innovation and ensure the advancement of leading-edge AI technologies.
- Establishing the legal framework
A comprehensive legal framework is needed to guide the ethical development and deployment of AI. Such frameworks need to address core issues including data privacy, algorithmic transparency, accountability and bias mitigation. Clear, transparent regulation builds public trust and helps ensure these technologies are used responsibly and for the common good.
- Employee training and development
Raising the skill level of the workforce is central to deploying sovereign AI successfully. Countries should consider investing in AI education and training programs at every level, from secondary education through to advanced research. Encouraging interdisciplinary research and promoting lifelong learning will secure a supply of high-quality AI talent able to keep pace with a field that is developing continuously.
- Promote public–private partnerships (public – private)
Public–private partnership plays an important role in driving innovation and enabling AI solutions to be deployed at scale. Governments and private companies should work closely together, each contributing its strengths, to develop AI applications that address national priorities such as healthcare, infrastructure and environmental protection.
- Strengthen international cooperation
Although sovereign AI emphasizes national control, international cooperation is essential to addressing global challenges. Governments and businesses should take part in multilateral forums and initiatives to share knowledge, set standards and collaborate on AI ethics and governance. That coordination helps align AI policy and advance responsible AI development worldwide. In the case of the partnership between Pho Tue SoftWare Solutions JSC and NVIDIA, the combination brings advanced resources and technical expertise to Pho Tue SoftWare Solutions JSC while also driving innovation and the exchange of AI knowledge between Vietnam and the international community.
Sovereign AI opens a new chapter in the technology journey of Vietnamese enterprises, with the potential to deliver significant breakthroughs and real economic benefits. Businesses should seize this opportunity to strengthen their position in both domestic and international markets.
