The role of philosophy in the age of AI and digital transformation

The message was given by Minister Nguyen Manh Hung at a working session with the Institute of Philosophy, under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, on the afternoon of January 6, 2026.

Today, I come here to meet people who hold a very special part of the country’s future: philosophers.

The historical role of philosophy in the new period

Humanity is going through an unprecedented period. Artificial intelligence begins to participate in human life. Digital transformation is reshaping society. Data becomes a new form of power. Human values, social justice, freedom, responsibility, morality… are all being questioned.

Vietnam is entering an era of profound transformation: AI – data – digital society – fluctuating world order. This is not only a technology story, but also a story about people, values, and the meaning of development. Philosophy must participate in leading the way in this new period, creating a thinking foundation for policies on science – technology, innovation and digital transformation.

In Vietnam, we are facing huge choices. We don’t just want to go faster. We want to go even further. We want to develop but still want to maintain the identity, humanity, justice and dignity of the Vietnamese people. We want to develop quickly and sustainably to become a developed country with high income when Vietnam turns 100 years old. We want to make science – technology, innovation and digital transformation the central driving force of development in this period.

To go right, we need a strong ideological foundation. To go far, we need a solid philosophical foundation.

And in that context, I see the historical role of the Institute of Philosophy.

Philosophy moves from “studying the world” to “creating the future for Vietnam”

There are countries that develop because they have resources. There are countries that develop because they have markets. But there are countries that develop because they have the right ideology, the right philosophy of development, a long-term vision, built by thinkers.

Philosophy contributes to creating spiritual energy, is a guide, and determines the meaning of development. Philosophy not only observes, but also accompanies the state, society and people. Not only does it explain reality, but it also contributes to defining the nation’s development path.

If science helps us answer the question “What can we do?”, then philosophy helps answer the larger question: What should we do? What’s right? What is humane? What is good for people and for the nation? What do we develop for?

Without philosophy to guide us, society can run very fast… but we don’t know where we are running.

The digital era raises big questions that the Institute of Philosophy must answer: Will AI change human nature and work? What values ​​should Vietnam’s AI ethics be based on? How is social justice understood in the data era? In a digital society, how must human values ​​and human dignity be protected?

The Institute of Philosophy can take the lead in: Philosophy of AI, philosophy of data, philosophy of digital society, philosophy of power and governance in the digital age.

Philosophy participates in policy making

Good policy must stand on the foundation of correct ideology. Because the problem must be properly defined before finding a solution. The Institute of Philosophy does academic research, but must also participate in long-term policy design, laying the foundation for 10-20 year long-term thinking, supporting the State in strategic issues.

The Institute of Philosophy can form a national strategic thinking group, become a national strategic thinking center, a place to shape development thinking, and propose a philosophical consultation mechanism in major decisions of the country.

The Institute of Philosophy is the voice of intellectual depth, a place of ideological inspiration, and a spiritual guide for the upcoming development path.

Building a value system for Vietnam’s development in the 21st century

Vietnam develops with what is unique to Vietnam? How is Vietnam different and what does it take to advance? What is Vietnam’s value foundation in the digital age? How can we be modern, humane, and not lose our national identity?

The Institute of Philosophy can and should research, propose, and create a value system for Vietnam’s development in the digital age.

One of the great movements in human history is the movement from the real world to the digital world, forming a pair of “yin – yang”, we live simultaneously in two worlds, we live in the interrelationship of these two worlds, for the first time people live with instantaneous communication speed in the digital world. Many values ​​and many relationships have changed. Many issues must be rethought at a philosophical level. When the world changes strongly, especially at a deep level, people turn to philosophy.

We are facing a historic opportunity to step up to a new level of development. But to do that, Vietnam needs a philosophy that keeps up with the realities of the times. A philosophy that helps us understand the role of humans in the AI ​​era. A philosophy that helps us develop technology without losing our humanity. A philosophy that helps us both integrate globally and maintain our Vietnamese identity. A philosophy that helps the country have a consistent, humane and sustainable development vision.

The Institute will not only be a place for theoretical research, but also a place to nurture long-term thinking for the country, a place for dialogue with science, technology, economics, society, and in particular, a place to become a center for shaping Vietnam’s development ideology in the 21st century.

The ancients did not start from “doing”, but from “the way”.

The Institute of Philosophy is the center of national ideological dialogue

I come here with a sincere belief: In the era of intellectual resources, philosophers are no longer “people standing off the stage”, but are standing right in the center of history.

The country needs teachers, teachers, and philosophers more than ever. Philosophy is not only research to see the world clearly, but also to join hands in building Vietnam’s future path.

If the previous era was the era of natural resources, then this century is the era of wisdom, values ​​and ideas.

And I believe, the Institute of Philosophy will make an important contribution to helping the country define its future.

A country can only develop sustainably when it has a clear ideological foundation. The Institute not only studies the past, but also builds a philosophy for Vietnam’s future in the age of AI, digital transformation, innovation, knowledge economy and unprecedented changes in the world.

The Institute not only asks questions, but also helps society find answers. Not just analyzing, but shaping the future. Not just behind, but ready to go ahead.

The Institute can participate more strongly in policy consulting, more strongly in philosophical issues of the digital age, be more pioneering in AI ethics research, data philosophy, philosophy of digital state, digital society, and especially help shape Vietnamese values ​​and identity in the digital era.

The Institute can organize forums: Philosophy and science – technology, innovation, digital transformation, philosophy and the constructive state, philosophy and the developed nation.

The Institute of Philosophy became the country’s ideological address.

Philosophy is not just yesterday, but also today and tomorrow.