Rather than rushing AI into hospitals, Mr Huynh advocates a staged and evidence-based approach.
Vietnam, he said, has talented AI researchers, innovative universities and healthcare organisations willing to experiment. But readiness involves much more than whether an AI model can produce fluent text.
The country needs stronger Vietnamese medical datasets, independent evaluation, robust privacy and cybersecurity safeguards, clear professional accountability, staff training and evidence from real clinical settings before AI can be safely integrated into routine care.
“A staged approach would be more sensible. Vietnam can begin with lower-risk uses such as staff education, non-sensitive administrative drafting and patient information that is checked by clinicians. Documentation support can follow once secure systems and local evaluation are in place. Higher-risk decision support should come only after careful testing and regulatory review. The aim should be safe and fair adoption rather than adoption at any cost.”
The research reflects RMIT Vietnam's commitment to applying emerging technologies to address real-world challenges through international collaboration. It has brought together researchers from the National University of Singapore, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the AI Research Center at Hon Hai Research Institute in Taiwan, and the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Vietnam. The broader research program is led by Associate Professor Arthur Tang, Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation in RMIT Vietnam's School of Science, Engineering & Technology.
Looking ahead, the RMIT researcher hopes Vietnam will become known not for adopting healthcare AI the fastest, but for adopting it responsibly and equitably.
“I am not arguing that AI should be kept out of nursing. I want it to be used in ways that make nursing stronger. It should reduce avoidable burden, help people understand health information and support better decisions while protecting the human relationship at the heart of care.”
As AI becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare, Mr Huynh believes its greatest contribution will not be replacing nurses, but giving them something increasingly precious: more time to care.
Behind every major shift is a story worth exploring. The Ripple Theory is a series of expert perspectives informed by research from RMIT University Vietnam. By connecting academic insight with real-world stories, the series helps readers gain a deeper understanding of the shifts unfolding across the economy, society, environment, and technological world, while exploring solutions and opportunities for what lies ahead.
Story: June Pham
