Vietnam Foundation and Department of Science, Technology, Information share a common vision on the teacher’s role in the AI-driven education

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing and exerting a profound influence across all sectors, and education is no exception. The Vietnamese Government has taken decisive actions to promote the integration of AI into education, aiming to leverage its pros for teaching and learning while ensuring alignment with Vietnam’s cultural and social context. In support of this national direction, The Vietnam Foundation (VNF) is actively contributing practical efforts by implementing the Khan Academy Vietnam (KAV) program to advance the strategic application of AI in education.

Strategic consensus on AI integration in teaching and learning: teachers must pioneer

In a recent meeting between representatives of Khan Academy, The Vietnam Foundation, and Dr. Nguyen Son Hai – Deputy Director General of the Department of Science, Technology, and Information under the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) – alongside Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam, Deputy Head of the Division of Educational Technology and Digital Human Resources, the parties discussed the strategic role of AI in education. During the meeting, Dr. Hai expressed his admiration for the work of Khan Academy and its AI-powered assistant Khanmigo. He remarked: “We know a lot about Khan Academy and Khanmigo, and we are highly impressed by what Khan Academy Vietnam is currently implementing amid the rapid growth of AI. The Vietnamese Government is taking bold steps in the field of artificial intelligence, and the education sector is pushing forward at the policy level to ensure AI integration in teaching and learning is both effective and aligned with Vietnam’s educational values – especially in terms of ethics, academic integrity, and responsible use.”

During the discussion, Dr. Hai emphasised that artificial intelligence is a powerful support tool, not a substitute for human beings. He stressed that teachers must take the lead in mastering AI, guiding students in its use, and leveraging the technology to innovate teaching methods and student assessment. Dr. Hải stated: “As generative AI continues to advance, we recognise it as a transformative force that will shape the activities of many sectors, including education. This is a matter of serious concern for MOET leadership. We have instructed all departments to urgently gain a firm understanding of AI and develop appropriate policies to ensure its effective and responsible application.” He continued: “While drafting a national AI strategy, the Ministry has already committed to several guiding principles: AI is a tool – not a replacement for humans; teachers and school administrators must take the lead in adopting and overseeing AI usage; and the application of AI, particularly at the K–12 level, must be carried out with a strong sense of responsibility to avoid any unintended negative consequences for students.”

This perspective was strongly affirmed by Ms. Emily Goldman, Director of Strategy and Operations for Khan Academy’s International Division. She stated: “We fully agree that when teachers understand technology, they can use it effectively. On the other hand, without that understanding, it’s challenging for technology to be meaningfully applied to real learning. We designed Khanmigo with a core philosophy: for teachers to be able to do what matters most—inspire and guide students in learning – they need to be freed from administrative and technical burdens. Khanmigo is built to support teachers, not replace them.” She added: “For students, Khanmigo functions like a tutor – it doesn’t give answers but instead prompts thinking and guides them step-by-step. Importantly, Khanmigo is capable of detecting sensitive or age-inappropriate content and has a built-in alert mechanism for teachers and parents to help monitor and support students’ learning journeys.” Mr. Kieu Huy Hoa, Director of the Khan Academy Vietnam program, who has experienced Khanmigo from a parent’s perspective, offered a concrete example: “Khanmigo is programmed to identify and warn students when they pose ethically inappropriate or age-inappropriate questions. The system allows teachers and parents to review the full history of conversations between students and the AI, enabling close monitoring of students’ psychological, cognitive, and behavioural patterns. For instance, if a student searches for sensitive topics such as sex, violence, or potential threats, the system triggers an alert to parents or teachers, creating an opportunity for timely intervention, counselling, and guidance.”

In his remarks on the strategic use of AI, Dr. Hải also emphasised the importance of providing teachers with formal and comprehensive training in AI. He stressed that educators should be equipped to use AI in their subject areas and to conduct experiments, design project-based learning activities, and effectively guide students in using AI. “If teachers are well-trained in AI, ethical and responsible use will naturally improve, helping to safeguard human rights and educational integrity. Our goal is to build a safe and healthy AI ecosystem for education, and this requires the cooperation of both domestic and international partners,” Dr. Hải concluded.

After the meeting, all parties agreed that strengthening AI competencies for teachers must be a top priority. AI’s creative and engaging nature offers excellent potential to help educators learn and grow rapidly. The shared goal is to equip teachers with the ability to master AI, use it responsibly, uphold ethical standards, and safeguard the rights of learners, especially those in K-12 education.

VNF and Khan Academy take practical steps to implement Vietnam’s AI strategy in education

In government-issued resolutions on educational reform, artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as a transformative pillar—with key priorities including empowering teachers as pioneers in mastering and guiding AI use, ensuring students access AI in a responsible and well-directed manner, and applying AI to enhance the quality, efficiency, and equity of education. In practice, The Vietnam Foundation (VNF), through the Khan Academy Vietnam (KAV) program, steadily translates these strategic directives into tangible actions.

Since 2023, VNF has localised and launched the “AI in Education” online course, making it freely accessible to teachers nationwide. The course equips educators with essential knowledge of AI and practical ways to integrate it into their teaching. As of June 2025, nearly 4,000 teachers from Quang Tri and various provinces across Vietnam have completed the course. This initiative directly supports the national goal of strengthening AI competencies among educators, enabling them to approach AI in a way that is both easy to understand and practically applicable in the classroom.

In 2025, The Vietnam Foundation is actively promoting the introduction of Khanmigo into Vietnam, aiming to build an AI-powered learning ecosystem that supports teachers in lesson planning and student assessment, while learners benefit from personalised tutoring experiences. This initiative directly contributes to the practicalization of the Government’s vision of applying AI to classroom management, learning analytics, and individualised instruction. Khanmigo, developed by Khan Academy U.S., requires significant investment, including development costs, algorithm licensing, system maintenance, and customisation for each country. Despite these expenses, Khan Academy is prepared to fully support countries with a strong commitment and real demand for AI in education. Thanks to the Ministry of Education’s active engagement and growing readiness among local educators to embrace digital transformation, Vietnam has emerged as a key priority country. Should the Ministry of Education and Training issue an official request, Khan Academy is prepared to negotiate with its technology partners to waive all user fees for Vietnam. The organisation has also committed to mobilising dedicated resources to support the effective deployment of Khanmigo nationwide, marking a significant step toward building a safe, ethical, and inclusive AI ecosystem for education in Vietnam.

Looking ahead, VNF will actively collaborate with Khan Academy U.S. and domestic educational institutions to organise training programs and dedicated forums for teachers nationwide. These initiatives aim to equip educators with the knowledge and confidence to integrate AI meaningfully into their teaching practice. Mr. Pham Duc Trung Kien, representative of The Vietnam Foundation, emphasised: “AI is merely a tool; it cannot replace humans. Instead, it enhances the teacher’s effectiveness and creates safer, more human-centred learning experiences.”

Dr. Nguyen Son Hai and The Vietnam Foundation share a unified vision: placing teachers at the centre of AI integration while building a sustainable AI ecosystem for Vietnam’s education sector. This vision is already taking shape through short-term initiatives, such as the localised AI in Education course on Khan Academy and teacher-focused workshops, and long-term strategies, including implementing Khanmigo, learning analytics, and digital teaching support tools. Dr. Hải noted: “Vietnam is demonstrating a strong commitment to AI development by launching a National Strategy on AI Application in Education to 2030. This is not just a short-term action plan but a long-term strategic roadmap. The Ministry of Education and Training is prioritising the use of AI in teaching and learning, while also investing in research and the training of AI talent for the education sector.” He further emphasised: “The Department of Science, Technology, and Information will continue to work closely with pioneering organisations like The Vietnam Foundation to turn these goals into reality, from scaling up foundational AI courses for teachers to bringing tools like Khanmigo into everyday classroom practice.”

The nationwide rollout of the Khan Academy online learning platform and the AI-powered Khanmigo tool in Vietnam represents a significant step forward in the country’s digital transformation in education and carries special significance as Vietnam and the United States mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. With the support of Khan Academy and its local representative, The Vietnam Foundation, Vietnamese students and teachers are gradually gaining access to the best U.S. education: free, personalised, and rooted in equity and human-centred values.

Source: https://en.baoquocte.vn/vietnam-foundation-and-department-of-science-technology-information-share-a-common-vision-on-the-teachers-role-in-the-ai-driven-education-318845.html