Part 4: Boosting AI popularization in education sector

Turning AI into a “helper”

The application of AI in education is no longer just a trend but has become an essential need. In Điện Biên, the provincial Department of Education and Training took a pioneering step by partnering with STEAM for Vietnam to vigorously implement the project “Train the Trainers 2025: AI popularization for Điện Biên teachers.” On February 24, 2025, the education sector began researching and planning for teachers to start engaging with AI. Just one week later, the first training course was officially launched. After two months of implementation, thousands of managers and teachers at all levels have been familiarized with and experienced AI applications such as building simple models, chatbots, image creation, data analysis, classification, and many other practical activities.

By the end of March, the core team had deeper exposure to new generation AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini... The program was then expanded to more than 14,000 teachers across the province, creating a widespread learning and innovation movement within the education sector. With the support of GenAI, each teacher is not only a knowledge transmitter but also a guide and an inspiration, helping students gain confidence in the digital era. At the same time, AI helps schools improve teaching effectiveness and build a modern, flexible education system.

Previously, teacher Quàng Thị Bình from Ethnic Minority Boarding Primary and Secondary School in Na Ư commune (Điện Biên district) spent considerable time preparing lessons and making slides. But with the support of ChatGPT, Gemini, and Canva, she has found lesson preparation much easier. “AI is a bridge that helps us save time and effort in lesson design. Thanks to GenAI, I can create lively lessons that meet objectives and suit students’ needs,” she shared.

In the remote area of Tủa Chùa district, teacher Lò Duy Tùng from Ethnic Minority Boarding Primary School Tủa Thàng No.1 and colleagues applied AI to the project “Designing Professional Multiple-Choice and Essay Questions to Assess Grade 5 English Students.” After trial implementation, the teachers noted clear effectiveness: the question system was personalized according to ability, ensured comprehensive evaluation of students’ competencies, and maintained data security throughout AI use. According to Tùng, generative AI (GenAI) not only helps design rich, diverse tests but also grades quickly, provides instant feedback, analyzes learning progress, and assists students in self-assessment after each task.

Hoàng Tuyết Ban, Director of the provincial Department of Education and Training, underlined that the sector encourages teachers to use AI as a supportive tool in teaching. However, AI cannot replace the crucial role of teachers in educating and developing human beings. Therefore, while applying AI, teachers still need to strive to be creative and inspire their students.

Realizing the “Digital Literacy Movement”

The universalization of AI in Điện Biên’s education sector not only reflects a strong spirit of innovation but also gradually realizes the “Digital Literacy Movement,” continuing the tradition of literacy universalization by spreading digital skills to teachers and students. This is an important transformation toward building a modern, open learning ecosystem suitable for the rapidly developing technology context.

Notably, the AI Festival event jointly organized by the provincial People’s Committee, STEAM for Vietnam, and Hanoi University of Science and Technology on May 6, 2025, marked a significant milestone as Điện Biên became the first province nationwide to complete AI universalization for 100% of teachers.

At the event, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Lê Thành Đô emphasized inheriting the historic tradition of Điện Biên Phủ by launching a new “campaign” on the digital technology front - the “Điện Biên Phủ AI Coverage Campaign,” aiming to bring artificial intelligence closer to the community and make it an essential tool in all aspects of life.

The “Digital Literacy Movement” movement was also launched to equip the entire population with digital knowledge and skills. To realize these goals, the education sector has implemented the “New Generation AI Application” training course for core teachers. This course not only provides in-depth knowledge of GenAI but also opens opportunities for teachers to innovate and renew their teaching methods.

Teacher Nguyễn Thu Hà from Him Lam Secondary School shared her experience applying AI in teaching 7-grade natural sciences: “Previously, many students were not really interested in chemistry because the content was abstract and dry. But when I integrated AI into the lessons, especially parts like substance structure and chemical reactions, everything became more vivid. Students understood lessons faster and were more proactive in absorbing knowledge. This shows that AI not only supports technically but also clearly motivates learning.”

AI further assists teachers in researching materials, writing lesson plans, personalizing learning, improving information access, and predicting academic performance to intervene early when students face difficulties. AI becomes a useful assistant in all teaching activities, from tracking progress to building personalized learning paths for each student.

Director Hoàng Tuyết Ban affirmed that the training course has awakened proactive and creative spirits among teachers. Many teachers have mastered tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, and Canva and created interactive teaching products tailored to different students. AI helps improve teaching effectiveness, supports teachers in lesson design and student assessment, and gradually realizes the “Digital Literacy Movement” and “AI Coverage Campaign” launched by the provincial People’s Committee.

The “Digital Literacy Movement” and “AI Coverage Campaign” are gradually spreading to every school and classroom across the province. These are not only the outcomes of sound policies but also a testament to the efforts and dedication of the entire provincial teaching workforce in actively integrating modern technology to serve educational development, human development, and a sustainable future.