Karan Bhatia, vice-president of government affairs and public policy at Google, expressed interest in exploring collaboration on artificial intelligence (AI) development with Vietnam during his meeting with Party General Secretary and State President To Lam in New York on Wednesday morning (local time).

Bhatia reaffirmed Google’s commitment to collaborating with Vietnam, announcing that Google had opened a new office in Ho Chi Minh City this year.

The company operates a manufacturing facility for phones and components in Vietnam as well.

He said that AI is one of Google’s core strengths and could bring significant value to Vietnam.

He shared Google’s approach to AI, which includes developing models, integrating AI into its products, and supporting both the public and private sectors in AI adoption.

Google's top government affairs official added that the tech giant is expanding skills training in Vietnam to promote AI collaboration, with plans to offer advice on optimizing the regulatory and policy framework for AI development.

The company hopes to support Vietnam in AI-integrated cloud services and to cooperate in cybersecurity.

The top Vietnamese leader emphasized that Google’s continued expansion of business in Vietnam reflects the country’s growing importance in strengthening global supply chains and expanding markets for the tech behemoth’s products.

Lam highlighted Vietnam’s commitment to creating favorable conditions for U.S. and foreign investors.

He called on Google to encourage its suppliers to expand their investment in Vietnam.

He suggested that Google help local firms enhance their capacity and join the tech giant’s supply chain.

Lam said that high-quality human resource development is one of Vietnam’s top strategic priorities, especially in the fields of biotechnology, AI, chips, and semiconductors.

He applauded Google’s proposal to cooperate in AI training, expressing his hope that the firm will collaborate with Vietnam's National Innovation Center, agencies, and institutions to implement projects that benefit both sides.

The leader of the Vietnamese Party and state commended Google for its interest in cybersecurity cooperation, emphasizing the sector's critical importance in light of the rapid changes brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

On the same day, Lam hosted separate receptions for leaders of two major U.S. energy companies -- AES and Pacifico Energy.

The receptions took place during the top Vietnamese official's visit to the U.S. from last Saturday through Wednesday this week.

During his meeting with executive vice-president of AES Corporation Juan Ignacio Rubiolo, Lam commended the company's effective business and investment activities in Vietnam.

He affirmed that Vietnam always welcomes foreign investors, especially those involved in clean energy transition projects, to do business in the country.

Lam proposed that AES maintain close collaboration with its Vietnamese partners to ensure compliance with local laws during the project implementation.

As Vietnam is seeking measures to keep its trade with the U.S. in balance, Lam endorsed the importation of liquefied natural gas to increase U.S. imports.

He emphasized that the Party, state, and people of Vietnam are fully committed to creating optimal conditions for U.S. investors, particularly AES, to thrive in Vietnam.

Rubiolo reaffirmed AES’s long-term commitment to Vietnam, adding that the company pledged to support Vietnam in energy transition and green economic growth.

The AES executive expressed his desire to work with Vietnamese companies such as PV Gas and EVN to optimize clean energy supply for industrial projects, ensuring reliable energy provision for the country.

During his reception for Nate Franklin, founder and chairman of Pacifico Energy Group, Lam spoke highly of the group's contributions and successful investments in Vietnam and global markets over the years.

He encouraged Pacifico Energy to make further investments in energy transition projects in Vietnam, noting that the country promotes energy transition and is working to fulfill its net-zero emissions goal by 2050.

Franklin pledged to collaborate with its partners to effectively implement projects to address Vietnam’s energy needs in the years to come.

The Pacifico Energy executive said that Vietnam boasts many advantages for developing clean energy and expressed his belief that the country could meet its offshore wind power targets by 2030.

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