In the context of artificial intelligence (AI) becoming a powerful driving force reshaping all aspects of social life, higher education faces the need for innovation not only in training content but also in its philosophy of human development. AI is no longer a standalone technology; it is an ecosystem that impacts the perception, behavior, emotions, ethics, employment, and professional capabilities of each individual. The University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-USSH) has clearly recognized this challenge and chosen to proactively lead rather than passively adapt.
The official issuance of the AI Competency Framework for learners by the University in November 2025 is a strong affirmation that VNU-USSH is entering the AI era with its own unique identity: humane, responsible, and oriented towards the sustainable development of society.
REGULATIONS ON THE FRAMEWORK OF COMPETENCIES IN AI FOR STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIESThe AI competency framework is built on a consistent philosophy: developing technological capabilities must go hand in hand with preserving and strengthening human values. This is a crucial differentiating factor, because while the world is racing towards increasingly complex models, VNU-USSH focuses on the human element, the users of technology, and their ability to adapt, critique, evaluate, and control the impact of AI on life. This philosophy permeates the entire structure of the competency framework, from equipping foundational knowledge about the operation and limitations of artificial intelligence models to emphasizing digital ethics, social responsibility, critical thinking, and independent decision-making in AI-supported learning and professional environments.
A distinctive feature of the AI Competency Framework issued by VNU-USSH is its comprehensive and in-depth approach. Learners are not only guided in using AI tools, but also develop two parallel sets of competencies. One group consists of long-term adaptive competencies such as flexible thinking, growth thinking, self-mastery, creative problem-solving, communication and collaboration, and project management. These competencies serve as a solid foundation, helping learners adapt to the continuous transformation of technology without losing their individual identity.
The AI competency framework for students includes 6 competency domains.
The second group comprises six specific AI competency domains, encompassing everything from understanding AI and data, critical thinking with AI output, to ethics, responsibility, human-centered competence, the ability to apply AI in professional contexts, and finally, the design and development of responsible AI systems. Each competency domain is described through four levels—recognition, application, specialization, and mastery—creating a clear, standardized development path suitable for a wide range of learners. This approach reflects a long-term strategic mindset: AI changes daily, but properly nurtured human competencies will help students remain resilient in the face of change.
The AI competency framework is not only academically significant but also provides a legal and methodological foundation for implementing AI-integrated teaching and learning throughout the university. From this, VNU-USSH has a basis to develop new courses, adjust learning outcomes, build training programs, blended learning models, and pioneering interdisciplinary education programs such as digital social sciences, digital humanities, social data analytics, and digital media. Simultaneously, the AI competency framework also paves the way for the formation of open learning resources, innovation centers, data analytics centers, and digital learning materials to help students proactively explore and apply AI safely and effectively.
For students, the issuance of the AI Competency Framework brings practical value. VNU-USSH students can confidently enter the labor market with a solid foundation in technology, while also having a deep understanding of ethics, legal aspects, and the limitations that AI brings. They not only know how to use the tools but also have the ability to evaluate, critique, and lead AI practices with a humanistic approach. This ability will become a competitive advantage in the context of the strong digitalization of various professions, from journalism and media, library and information services, social work to cultural management, public administration, and service businesses.
Furthermore, the VNU-USSH AI Competency Framework contributes to shaping the profile of the digital citizen that future society expects: individuals who are both knowledgeable and responsible, who do not blindly believe in technology, who know how to protect their own and others' privacy, who respect diversity and fairness, and who always stand on the side of human values in all decisions. As AI increasingly intervenes in daily life, it is human qualities, independent thinking, compassion, and integrity that will be the foundation for sustainable societal development.
Looking back, the decision to issue the AI Competency Framework not only demonstrates VNU-USSH's proactive approach to global trends but also affirms the university's role as a pioneering academic institution with significant influence within the Vietnamese university system. This is a strategic step, reflecting the aspiration to contribute to the country's development and affirming the mission of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities: to train individuals who know how to learn, think, create, and act responsibly in a world where technology is changing daily.
VNU-USSH, with its traditional strengths in humanities knowledge and the ability to analyze people, society, and culture—fields that machines, no matter how advanced, cannot completely replace—clearly recognizes what constitutes core value as AI permeates every aspect of life: the ability to help students understand, use, and master technology correctly through the depth of their social and humanities knowledge.
It is a difficult path, requiring perseverance and a long-term vision. But it is precisely this path that has helped VNU-USSH establish a special role in the current educational ecosystem: the role of a leading institution in thinking, creating a framework of values, and cultivating humanistic competencies so that learners can enter the world of artificial intelligence with confidence and responsibility.
