"AI has penetrated very quickly and has had a huge impact in schools" - Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
is infiltrating and strongly affecting all aspects of social life, especially the field of education and training. Talking with a reporter from One World Magazine on the sidelines
Workshop "Developing artificial intelligence capacity for learners", Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - shared many passionate and profound things about developing AI in the field of education and schools.
It can be said that the birth and popularity of AI affects all aspects of social life. Regarding teaching and learning in universities, how has AI penetrated and impacted? And in your opinion, what is the current problem?
Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan:It can be said that the birth and popularity of AI affects all aspects of social life and all aspects of work, with different levels of influence depending on the field. For teaching and learning in universities, AI has penetrated very quickly and has had a huge impact. Currently, it is inevitable that students use AI. In fact, there have been surveys, and university students today are very proactive and flexible in using this tool.
The issue now is not whether to use it or not, to allow it or not. As soon as ChatGPT was born, the Ministry of Education and Training organized a discussion. Since then, we have agreed that the story of AI and the issue of education will go hand in hand for a long time and will become deeper and deeper. This is inevitable in education.
We see the reality that students have been, are and will continue to use AI for different types of work and study at different levels. In general, the frequency of use will increase and students' AI skills will also improve. This requires training organization, management and assessment to adapt. This adaptation must first start from the thinking and awareness of educators in general, especially teachers.
The University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU in collaboration with Meta Group organizes a completely free course on GEN AI for lecturers and students.
With the frequency of AI usage as vibrant as it is today, teachers certainly cannot avoid using it. So, in this situation, how should teachers change, sir?
Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan: Teachers and lecturers need to be trained, updated, and guided to perceive, recognize, use, and master AI. On one hand, it is to serve the work of teachers, and on the other hand, it is to adapt to students. If students use AI that teachers do not know or are not proficient in, then students can surpass teachers in terms of tools.
There is nothing wrong with students using AI to find materials, to help analyze materials, to help explore ideas. Despite the downsides, this trend is irreversible. It is best to adapt.
Up to this point, the use of AI is still going in a positive direction, without many worrying negative aspects. However, to avoid the story of AI dominating the lessons, the assessment method must be flexible, not like in the past.
So, in your opinion, how should educational institutions, from primary to university, change their training program structure and assessment methods to integrate generative AI in the most responsible and effective way?
Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan:Like the general digital competency framework, there are several levels of AI competency in the higher education environment:
Basic level: There is a general AI course, including contents on form, usage, technical means, civic ethics, history of AI.
More important level (permeation): The problem is that throughout the training program, schools must integrate digital skills and artificial intelligence skills into all subjects. For example, even classical subjects such as Han Nom can use AI to support character recognition, restore ancient texts, or search for multidimensional meanings of a word. I believe that 100% of the fields of social sciences and humanities can be compatible and apply AI to enhance professional efficiency.
Regarding assessment, to adapt to the increased use of AI in learning, assessment and teaching methods must of course change to avoid dependence on AI. For example, instead of just doing essays (which can be highly AIized), lecturers should increase forms such as discussions, exchanges, and seminars in class. At that time, AI cannot speak for them, but the ability to convey, answer, and exchange must be revealed by humans.
A classic but very effective form of competency testing today is oral testing. Oral testing is a very simple way to test students' abilities, real learning, and knowledge.
Staff and lecturers of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to apply artificial intelligence in the teaching and scientific research process.
What is your view on the solution to solve the core problem of AI in education?
Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan:Technically, the accuracy, processing speed, and depth of AI will continue to improve. However, among the many core issues in using AI, I think the issue of setting standards, norms, and criteria for using AI is very important.
Specifically, ethics and social responsibility are still one of the core issues that we must focus on. The issue of management and application probably still has to address the institutional story of using AI in a fundamental, humane, responsible and standard manner.
To avoid falling behind, what specific policies do schools need to invest in AI infrastructure and build a clear ethical framework for using AI in schools?
Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan:Nowadays, the application of AI in work fields is very personalized. Each person can use a device.
From an organizational perspective, the issue comes back to institutionalizing the responsibilities of all parties. Schools need to clarify the extent to which officials and specialists use AI in administrative work. AI can draft documents, but public ethics and professionalism must still be controlled. AI cannot be "left completely" to AI.
| “AI can draft documents, but public ethics and professionalism must still be controlled. We cannot “leave it all to AI” - Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities |
For example, the school is developing and adjusting regulations for the application of artificial intelligence in all work to avoid tragedies or troubles. The story of suicide following AI advice has happened in the world, which shows that the issues related to ethics, responsibility and law are very urgent.
At the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, how are students applying AI to the learning process, sir?
Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan:It depends on the level and is not uniform, but mainly students use it to suggest ideas, solve some problems. Even lecturers have used some specific AI software in research, teaching, design. The numbers show that work efficiency has increased many times.
We always recommend responsible use and compliance with all regulations. For example, when using AI for analysis, students must censor and take personal professional responsibility for the accuracy of the data and ideas. Some journals even require public notes on the use and application of AI in data processing.
As a university leader, what strong message do you want to send to education authorities, parents and especially students themselves about how they should leverage AI to maximize their learning and creativity in the coming time?
Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan:If I were to call it a message, I would like to share this perspective.
First, we need to be clear. Education cannot turn its back on AI, but it cannot be dependent, enslaved, fanatical, or deified by AI. After all, humans are still the subjects of social development.
Second, in terms of institutions. There needs to be a general regulatory framework and specific regulations for each field of work. This institutionalization is very beneficial, even protecting users in terms of safety and legal responsibility.
Experts discussed at the workshop "Developing artificial intelligence capacity for learners" held at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities on October 28, 2025.For students: AI must be used in a very scientific and intelligent way. Intelligence is using AI as a support tool, not as a replacement for human intelligence. Courage is the ability and capacity to master artificial intelligence.
Responsibility and ethics are about integrity. Students cannot use AI as a substitute for their own intellectual activity. There must be a clear statement about AI references.
| “Education cannot turn its back on AI, but it cannot be dependent on it either” - Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Principal of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities |
For teachers and lecturers: There must also be standards and criteria, in which responsibility and ethics must be placed first.
For parents: Parents are a participant in this process. As a parent myself, I believe that it is necessary to research carefully to have a relatively objective and thorough view. This not only helps to reassure the mind but also helps to support children in their studies. Avoid unnecessary bias and skepticism. Parents should support schools in using AI responsibly and ethically.
Thank you for sharing this valuable information!
