Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao Urges Ethical AI Future
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay opened the forum by emphasising how AI is reshaping the way we live, work, and connect. She described the moment as pivotal in human history and called for collective reflection guided by shared values. Azoulay reaffirmed UNESCO's commitment to global cooperation and expressed hope that the forum would serve as a milestone in establishing ethical AI standards that leave no one behind.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, in her opening address, reiterated Thailand's dedication to building an ethical and inclusive AI future and urged global leaders to ensure AI delivers lasting and sustainable benefits for all.
Representing Vietnam, Dr Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao—Chairwoman of Sovico Group and Vietjet Air—joined a high-level panel to discuss the role of policy, innovation, and technology in serving the public good.
'I come here today not only as a businesswoman leading a global airline and digital bank, and not only as a PhD in automation—but first and foremost as a mother,' Dr Thao began. 'A mother who believes that technology must be designed to serve humanity and to create a fairer, more inclusive world for the next generation.'
She described how millions of Vietjet passengers have taken flight for the first time to access better opportunities in education, healthcare, and employment. Through Vikki, her group's digital banking platform, rural women and students in remote areas have gained access to financial services that transformed their lives.
'AI must be a tool for equity,' Dr Thao stated. 'It should provide universal access to education, healthcare, and finance. Its development must be rooted in the well-being of society and the common good.'
She continued: 'We must begin with people—upholding equality based on dignity and the right to happiness, regardless of income, gender, background, or education. In the age of AI, I believe there is no difference between myself—a billionaire—and a tuk-tuk driver or an ordinary citizen on the street.'
Calling for a broader vision of AI, Dr Thao said: 'We must go beyond seeing AI as a mere tool. It must become a commitment—one that always returns to the heart of humanity, guided by compassion, integrity, and a shared aspiration for a fairer world.'
Dr Thao also called for global collaboration to establish an inclusive vision for AI rooted in trust and human-centred ethics. She pledged financial and operational support for international initiatives, including the proposed Fair Data Fund—a mechanism to provide transparent, unbiased, and multilingual data to train AI systems, especially in developing countries.
'Policies must prioritise vulnerable communities. No one should be left behind due to gender, geography, or circumstance,' she said. 'I urge this forum to expand policymaking spaces for women, girls, and marginalised groups—not just as recipients, but as co-creators of our digital future.'
Dr Thao concluded by affirming that she and her companies—Vietjet, HDBank, Vikki Bank, among others—remain committed to building a future where AI is not only intelligent, but also compassionate.
A longstanding partner of UNESCO and the United Nations, Dr Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao has supported initiatives in education, culture, science, and the empowerment of women and children. Her remarks at the forum reflect a clear and consistent message: that ethical leadership, grounded in human values, is essential in shaping the next era of technology.
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