Hong Jeong-pyo, senior executive vice president of Hanwha Life, presenting a certificate and trophy to the winning team of the AI track. — Photo courtesy of Hanwha Life

ĐÀ NẴNG — The sixth Vietnam Informatics Olympiad recently concluded with a record number of participants, underscoring the country’s growing momentum in artificial intelligence (AI) and information technology (IT).

Hosted by the Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology in collaboration with Hanwha Life, the event attracted 2,848 participants from 525 institutions across the country, reflecting a 19.5 per cent increase in student participation and a 48.3 per cent rise in school representation compared to the previous year.

Organisers noted that the event’s expansion reflects Vietnamese students' increasing interest in AI and IT, fueled by academic enthusiasm and national efforts to enhance AI capabilities.

This year, an AI track was introduced with support from international organisations and corporate sponsors, recognising Việt Nam's growing role in the digital economy.

The inclusion of the AI track aligns with global trends as AI is increasingly integral to financial, industrial, and technological progress.

The competition tested participants in AI problem-solving, machine learning, and automation, mirroring industry demands for skilled professionals in these areas.

The winner of the AI track, Phùng Nguyễn Như Bách, said: "This competition serves as a gateway for Vietnamese students to showcase our AI capabilities on a global stage."

The event also featured knowledge-sharing sessions with industry experts, including a keynote lecture by Professor Jung Yoo Shin, head of the Korea Digital Economic and Financial Institute. His presentation, "Digital Finance and Korean Fintech Best Practices," part of the Hanwha Life Lecture Series, highlighted the intersection of AI and financial technology—an area where Việt Nam is making rapid strides.

Hong Jeong-pyo, senior executive vice president of Hanwha Life, emphasised the broader impact of such initiatives, saying, “The introduction of the AI track in the Informatics Olympiad and financial education initiatives will strengthen global financial and digital capabilities of Vietnamese youth, thus contributing to the development of regional financial education infrastructure." — VNS