General Secretary To Lam: Intellectuals and scientists must bring Vietnam into the leading group of ASEAN in AI

On the morning of December 30, speaking at a meeting with intellectuals and scientists, General Secretary To Lam emphasized that intellectuals are a force representing the intelligence and talent of the people and nation, and are one of the most important resources and driving forces bringing breakthroughs and prosperity to the country.

"It can be affirmed that the revolutionary achievements, especially the great achievements of the country after 40 years of renovation, have especially important contributions from the team of intellectuals and scientists," the General Secretary praised.

"Waste of brains", "brain fading", "brain drain"

Besides, the General Secretary also frankly acknowledged that there are still many shortcomings and limitations in the use and promotion of intellectuals and the implementation of responsibilities and missions of intellectuals and scientists that need to be urgently and thoroughly overcome.

In which, there are limitations in use and promotion; recruitment, treatment and talent attraction mechanisms still have many limitations.

"If a scientist who studied abroad at the age of 24, graduated and then got a PhD, worked at a world-class advancement center for 10 years, and returned home at the age of 35-40, according to current regulations, he would be too old to be brought into the government. Such a policy is very inappropriate," the General Secretary analyzed.

In addition, the General Secretary also noted that the situation has not created a favorable environment to encourage intellectuals and scientists to proactively research, apply science and technology, impart knowledge, provide consultation and social criticism; the building of intellectuals has not been linked to the goals and tasks of each sector and locality.

"There is still a situation of "brain waste", "brain fading", and "brain drain", the General Secretary emphasized.

Regarding the implementation of the responsibilities and missions of the intellectual and scientific community towards the Fatherland, the General Secretary frankly acknowledged that there are still many limitations compared to the expectations and investments of the Party, State and People. In particular, there are not many elite and talented factors, and there is a serious shortage of leading experts...

There are still some intellectual scientists who put personal interests above national and ethnic interests, are selfish, avoid responsibility, do not dare to venture into difficult and arduous places like their predecessors, have limited practical knowledge, and even degrade in political ideology, lifestyle ethics, "self-evolution", "self-transformation".

The General Secretary gave an example of a number of units and individuals considering the state budget allocated to carry out scientific research topics and projects as an "economic source" or "income source" other than salary, without taking into account the socio-economic efficiency; being indifferent and apathetic in the struggle to criticize and self-criticize the phenomenon of dishonesty in scientific research...

The most important factor for rapid and sustainable development

Emphasizing the important role of science and technology, not seizing that opportunity is a crime, the General Secretary affirmed: Only science and technology and innovation can improve labor productivity, be the driving force for growth, and be the most important factor for rapid and sustainable development in our country.

The Party, State and people are expecting and looking forward to contributions and dedication on a new scale and scale, with strong breakthroughs from the team of intellectuals and scientists.

“Only science, technology and innovation are the ways to help us catch up, progress together, break through and surpass ourselves and the world,” the General Secretary pondered.

From there, the General Secretary proposed that the Party, State, Party committees and authorities at all levels need to strongly innovate training, selection, use and promotion of intellectuals and scientists.

In particular, continue to build and promote the role of the intellectual team to meet the requirements of rapid and sustainable national development in the new period, especially in the era of national growth, the first stage of which is from now until 2045.

In the first half of 2025, a national strategy on developing intellectuals in the period of accelerating industrialization and modernization will be reviewed, evaluated, and issued. At the same time, it will thoroughly overcome existing shortcomings and inadequacies as well as identify breakthrough mechanisms and policies to attract, use, promote, and honor intellectuals, especially top talents, leading experts and outstanding talents, and train and nurture the next generation of young intellectuals.

The General Secretary noted that special attention should be paid to and emphasis should be placed on honoring intellectuals, specific regulations should be issued soon, and results and outputs in the spirit of "serving the people" should be used as the basis for honoring and rewarding, ensuring a deep demonstration of the culture of valuing talents, avoiding formalities, leveling, and lack of democracy.

In addition to having specific and practical solutions to strongly innovate thinking, improve and unify awareness of the position, role and importance of building a team of intellectuals in the new situation, it is necessary to strictly handle violations of the law on building a team of intellectuals.

Accept risks and have delays in scientific research and innovation activities

Regarding the intellectuals and scientists, the General Secretary proposed three issues. In particular, the General Secretary requested efforts to fulfill the responsibilities and missions of the intellectuals and scientists in the new revolutionary period.

The General Secretary noted that by 2030, we must strive to have 100 inventions, innovations, and scientific works in the world science rankings; scientific and technological products, literary and artistic works occupying the top positions...

"These goals have been initially set out in Resolution 45 of the Party. Intellectuals and scientists need to have a specific strategy to break through and accelerate to achieve them," said the General Secretary.

In addition, the General Secretary requested to study and focus on early implementation of Resolution No. 57 dated December 22, 2024 of the Politburo "On breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation" as a source of inspiration, a new driving force, a new land, a new sky for the creativity of intellectuals and scientists.

"Intellectuals and scientists must be the core force, the ones with the "magic" to put Vietnam in the top 3 countries in Southeast Asia in research and development of artificial intelligence; the top 50 countries in the world in digital competitiveness and e-Government development index; and have at least 5 digital technology enterprises on par with technology powers by 2030," the General Secretary pointed out.

By 2045, Vietnam will be one of the digital technology industrial centers of the region and the world; among the top 30 countries in the world in innovation and digital transformation; with advanced, modern digital technology infrastructure, super large capacity, super wide bandwidth on par with "digital technology empires".

According to the General Secretary, it is necessary to deeply understand the responsibility of intellectuals and scientists in the new revolutionary period, the responsibility in raising the intelligence and strength of the nation...

From there, intellectuals and scientists strive to be honest in science and create with their abilities and beyond their abilities, even "surpassing themselves" to serve the people and for the prosperity of the country; knowing how to debate and daring to debate scientifically, with basis and solid arguments of a constructive nature.

The General Secretary also requested attention to education and training, building a team of intellectuals and high-quality human resources. Along with that, there must be close connections between scientific centers, research institutes, schools and businesses and vice versa; accepting risks and delays in scientific research activities, innovation...

“To bring the country firmly into a new era, an era of rising up, an era of development, prosperity, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world powers, successfully realizing the wishes of President Ho Chi Minh and the aspirations of the entire nation, more than ever, the Party, the State and the people place great trust and expectations on the team of intellectuals and scientists - the core pioneers who create innovation, strong breakthroughs, and create maximum acceleration for the goal of rapid and sustainable development of the country in the new period”, the General Secretary advised.