A photo from the First Prize-winning series at the second “Technology with Heart” awards. Photo courtesy of the organiser

HÀ NỘI — Journalist Nguyễn Phú Khánh of An ninh Thủ đô magazine and Hà Nội photographer Trần Thanh Giang have won the First Prize in the photo series category of the second “Technology with Heart” awards for their work “AI Robots Serving Public Administration in Hà Nội.”

The photo series, honoured at the awards ceremony and exhibition held on October 23, tells a compelling story about Hà Nội’s first AI-powered service robot deployed at the grassroots level—a symbol of human-centred innovation in public service.

Speaking about the journey behind the work, Khánh said the series reflects the spirit of this year’s theme, “Vietnamese Creativity – Path to Prosperity.”

Bringing public services closer to the people

Since July 1, Hà Nội has been among the first localities to proactively and effectively implement the new two-tier local government model. Through months of field reporting at ward and commune administrative offices, Khánh and his colleagues observed tangible improvements in grassroots administrative services - no longer a “mini district” or “expanded ward,” but a streamlined unit designed to be closer to the people and responsive to their needs.

At Cửa Nam Ward - one of the busiest areas in the capital - the city officially launched its first AI robot at the Public Administration Service Centre on July 10, 2025. The robot, the first of its kind at ward level in Hà Nội, performs six key functions: providing service guidance and queue numbers; collecting and sending feedback; offering an integrated digital information display; moving autonomously to offer water and snacks; communicating through AI; and delivering on-site support.

It can navigate the service centre independently, serve refreshments, and act as an “information library” where citizens can look up procedures. Users may also rate service quality directly through the robot, with results transmitted in real time to ward authorities for monitoring and improvement.

During his assignment, Khánh captured the genuine satisfaction of citizens interacting with the robot. Elderly residents, in particular, showed special interest. “One elderly man told us, ‘It’s simple—just touch it and you get your number. And it even talks! This sort of service can help build integrity and eliminate petty corruption,’” Khánh recalled.

Through this story of Hà Nội’s first administrative service robot, Khánh hopes to highlight the city’s strong commitment to implementing the Politburo’s Resolution No 57-NQ/TW (December 22, 2024) on breakthroughs in science-technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. Hà Nội, he said, is taking steady steps toward a digital society where people benefit from modern technology and enjoy safety in the digital environment. Here, technology reshapes public administration—placing citizen satisfaction at the centre, in line with the spirit of “Vietnamese Creativity – Path to Prosperity.”

Technology as a solution to everyday challenges

A graduate in fine-arts photography from the Hà Nội University of Theatre and Cinema and with more than 14 years of journalism experience, Khánh believes the essence of modern photography lies not in distant, abstract topics but in finding technology-driven solutions to everyday challenges - how technology can make people’s lives simpler, easier, and more accessible.

The “Technology with Heart” awards - co-organised by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and Viettel Group - have, in their second edition, reaffirmed their reputation as a meaningful, humane platform for creative expression. According to Khánh, the programme has quickly become a meeting point for journalists, engineers, and creators who share the belief that technology can make life better.

The inaugural 2024 season drew significant attention, receiving 614 single photos, 144 photo series, and 87 video clips within just over three months. Many entries came from experienced journalists who showcased exceptional technical and technological insight. Their works vividly portrayed how technology is gradually transforming every corner of life - from urban to rural areas, and from the mainland to distant islands.

This year’s competition, themed “Vietnamese Creativity – Path to Prosperity,” continues to attract widespread participation, with images and videos reflecting strong creativity and deep humanistic values. Entries range from community digital teams helping residents activate VNeID accounts, to doctors using stem-cell technology to bring hope to patients, and Viettel engineers mastering advanced missile technologies.

Khánh hopes the awards will become an annual event with fresh themes that more clearly capture the role of technology in building a modern, service-oriented administration.

For him, the most valuable aspect of the competition is the diversity of perspectives - close, emotional, and deeply human. Beyond celebrating the power of technology, the awards honour stories where technology serves people and uplifts human values. That, he said, is the true spirit of “Technology with Heart”: spreading trust, igniting creativity, and contributing to a prosperous Việt Nam. — VNS