[Research Contribution] The AI Era Workforce: Preparing competencies for a lifetime
6 August, 2026
Keywords: AI; Future workforce; Lifelong learning; Digital skills; Digital transformation
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is profoundly reshaping the labor market and redefining the concept of high-quality human resources. In this context, the critical question is no longer about how many people to train or how many new majors to offer, but rather what competencies learners need to thrive in a constantly evolving world. According to Prof. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao, universities must shift from a knowledge-transmission mindset to one that cultivates lifelong learning capabilities, enabling learners to master technology rather than fear being replaced by it.
Concluding the series of discussions on the HTV program “Nguoi Trong Cuoc” (The Insider) with the theme “Investment in Human Resources – Creating a Breakthrough for Ho Chi Minh City,” Prof. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao offered his perspective on the transformation of the workforce in the AI era and the essential competencies higher education must equip learners with to keep pace with the city’s future development.
AI is changing the concept of high-quality human resources
According to Prof. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao, AI possesses the ability to memorize, process, and synthesize information at speeds far exceeding human capability. This is fundamentally changing how businesses recruit and utilize their workforce.
If in the past, degrees or the ability to memorize knowledge were considered competitive advantages, today, qualities such as adaptability, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a spirit of lifelong learning are being valued more highly. He noted that in a world of constant technological change, specialized knowledge can quickly become obsolete. What helps an individual maintain their competitive edge is not the volume of knowledge they currently possess, but their capacity for continuous learning, updating, and self-renewal.
This is precisely why higher education cannot stop at transmitting knowledge but must help learners develop competencies that will serve them throughout their lives.
Not training AI as a separate major, but integrating AI into every discipline
One of the most significant changes in higher education is its approach to artificial intelligence.
According to Prof. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao, AI and data science should not be exclusive to information technology or computer science students. In the future, learners across many fields will need to understand data, technology, and how to leverage AI to enhance their work efficiency.
At UEH, AI is approached as a foundational competency and is integrated into various training fields such as business, finance, marketing, logistics, management, design, and urban development. Beyond specialized knowledge, learners are also exposed to design thinking, innovation, sustainable development, entrepreneurship, and data science to develop interdisciplinary problem-solving skills.
He emphasized that the goal is not to turn all students into technology engineers, but to enable them to use technology as a tool to create value within their respective fields of expertise.
“Shooting with both hands”: Expertise and technology must go hand in hand
To envision the future workforce, Prof. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao used a unique analogy: “shooting with both hands.”
He explained that one hand represents deep professional expertise, while the other represents the ability to master technology. Only when both elements develop simultaneously can learners adequately adapt to the rapid changes in the labor market.
This philosophy is concretized in many interdisciplinary programs such as Financial Technology (FinTech), Marketing Technology (MarTech), Logistics Technology (LogTech), smart transportation, smart cities, and business data analytics. The common thread is that technology is not taught as a separate field but is integrated into each profession to create new working methods and problem-solving approaches.
According to Prof. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao, AI does not operate in isolation. Technology only truly creates value when combined with professional insight, analytical thinking, and the ability to understand human issues.
Not fearing AI, but learning to master it
The rapid development of AI has also raised concerns about job displacement.
According to Prof. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao, AI will certainly change many job positions and may even replace some repetitive tasks. However, this does not mean humans will lose their role in the labor market.
The values that AI will find difficult to replace are creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, empathy, and the ability to connect complex elements in practice. Therefore, instead of viewing AI as a competitor, learners should consider it a tool to work more effectively, expand creativity, and enhance productivity.
He argued that the issue is not about avoiding AI but about learning to use it proactively, responsibly, and in conjunction with one’s own professional skills.
Choosing a major is not just about a lifelong job
According to Prof. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao, the notion of “choosing one career path for life” is gradually changing.
Under the influence of technology and AI, it will become more common for individuals to switch jobs multiple times or take on entirely new roles throughout their careers. Therefore, choosing a field of study today is not just about selecting a profession; more importantly, it is about choosing an environment that helps learners develop adaptability and lifelong learning skills.
He suggested that deciding on a major should be the convergence of three factors: first, one’s personal capacity – understanding one’s strengths; second, one’s passion – choosing a field that provides long-term motivation; and third, the development needs of society and the nation – where individual capabilities can create tangible value. On this journey, parents should play a supporting role, providing information and sharing experiences, rather than imposing career choices based on outdated criteria.
Preparing competencies for a lifetime
Concluding the discussion, Prof. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao stated that the ultimate goal of higher education is not only to help learners find a job after graduation but also to prepare them with the ability to adapt to a constantly changing world.
Professions may change, technology will continue to evolve, and today’s knowledge may quickly become outdated. However, lifelong learning capacity, an open mindset, the ability to master technology, and a spirit of dedication to the community will always be the foundation for individual development.
For Ho Chi Minh City, developing high-quality human resources is therefore not just about adding new majors or increasing training scale. It is the process of building a generation of citizens with professional expertise, technological capability, global thinking, adaptability, and a desire to contribute to the city’s development.
From this perspective, the co-creation university model is not merely a change in how education is organized but also an answer to the challenge of workforce development in a new era. When universities connect with government, businesses, and the community, knowledge is not only created in lecture halls but also becomes a driving force for innovation and sustainable development.
Concluding the series of shares on the “Nguoi Trong Cuoc” program, the message Prof. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao conveyed is intended not only for universities or education administrators but also for every individual learner: In a world of constant flux, the most valuable competency is not what we currently know but our ability to continuously learn, adapt, and master the future./.
Author: Prof. Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao – University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City
This article is part of a series dedicated to disseminating research and applied knowledge under the message “Research Contribution For All” initiated by UEH. UEH cordially invites readers to stay tuned for the next edition of the UEH Research Insights newsletter.
News and photos: Department of Communications and Partnerships
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