High excitement and trust in tech advancements thanks to AI

Market research and polling company Ipsos Vietnam on August 7 released an insightful survey exploring the perceptions and expectations of Vietnamese consumers regarding AI.

The survey, which gathered responses from key urban centres like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, reveals a high level of excitement and trust towards AI. These findings position Vietnam as a dynamic market ready to adopt and benefit from AI technologies, echoing the sentiment across other Asian countries but without the accompanying nervousness seen in some regions.

The study highlights the unique perspectives of Vietnamese consumers, emphasising the importance of trust, transparency, and education in facilitating AI adoption. The following key findings offer a comprehensive look at the current sentiment and future expectations of AI in Vietnam.

In terms of general sentiment and economic outlook, Vietnamese consumers exhibit high levels of excitement towards AI, with 80 per cent believing that AI products and services have more benefits than drawbacks. This excitement is on par with other Asian countries but significantly higher than the global average, where only 54 per cent are excited about AI.

Furthermore, 78 per cent of Vietnamese respondents trust that AI will improve the country's economy. In comparison, the global average for trust in AI's economic impact stands at 66 per cent.

Despite only 29 per cent of Vietnamese consumers claiming to have a good understanding of what AI is, a significant 70 per cent trust that companies using AI will protect their personal data. This trust level is higher than the global average of 50 per cent.

Regarding the impact on daily life and workforce, 72 per cent of Vietnamese respondents agree that AI has profoundly changed their daily life in the past 3-5 years, compared to the global average of 49 per cent. Looking ahead, 85 per cent believe AI will change their job in the next five years, but only 35 per cent think AI will replace their jobs, highlighting the perceived value of human roles.

This is more optimistic than the global sentiment, where 36 per cent fear job replacement by AI. Companies should focus on reskilling and upskilling initiatives to prepare the workforce for AI integration, ensuring that human roles remain valuable and complementary to AI technologies.

“The rapid evolution of AI platforms over the past year has ushered in a new era of AI, bringing significant changes to lives and businesses around the world. Ipsos’ survey reveals that Vietnamese consumers display great excitement about AI," said Sapna Moulick, Ipsos’ service line leader for Innovation.

"However, they are unique in their lack of nervousness compared to other regions. This positive sentiment is tempered by a recognition of the potential impact on the job market, as many anticipate changes but remain optimistic about the benefits AI will bring to the economy and daily life. As Vietnam continues to integrate AI into various sectors, the need for clear regulations and upskilling initiatives becomes increasingly pressing,” Moulick added.

The survey was conducted among 500 respondents aged 12-65 in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, between July 2023 and July 2024. The data reflects the views of the urban, more connected segment of the population.

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