The AI ​​or Behind contest is for high school students nationwide, helping to practice skills in using AI to create, verify information and develop technology solutions.

At the launching ceremony of the AI ​​or Behind competition for the 2026-2027 school year on the morning of October 31 in Hanoi, the organizers said this is the first competition in Vietnam to use tests according to international standards to evaluate the AI ​​capacity of high school students.

The test will be provided by Pearson - Certiport, focusing on knowledge and skills in working with generative AI, from methods, AI models, command writing techniques (prompt) to ethics, legality and practical applications. Students can participate for free and have the opportunity to receive certificates after the rounds.

At the event, Mr. Thai Van Tai, Director of General Education Department - Ministry of Education and Training, said that the introduction of AI into high schools is being implemented in a drastic but cautious spirit. AI education will also be officially introduced into general education establishments in the 2025-2026 school year. The Ministry has researched international experience, implemented a pilot and identified 12 AI lessons as core content so that all students can access foundational knowledge. After that, they can develop more deeply according to their abilities, strengths and passions.

Evaluating playgrounds like AI or Behind to help students have more opportunities to experience, thereby discovering talented children for further training, he suggested that schools organize this activity in the direction of large-scale experience, instead of just focusing on exam results.

The Ministry representative also emphasized that bringing AI into education cannot rely only on schools and teachers, but requires the participation of businesses, experts and educational organizations. The coordination helps students in different circumstances have the opportunity to access technology, from programs suitable for difficult regional conditions to international standard content in more favorable places.

Sharing the same view on the need to popularize technology, Mr. Vo Thanh Hai, representative of Viettel, said that AI is creating a profound revolution at a fast pace, affecting many fields and increasingly present in life. Therefore, students need to soon get acquainted and know how to use this technology to support learning, creativity and prepare for future work.

He emphasized that AI should be seen as a tool to suggest ideas, support self-learning, and not replace independent thinking. Students need to develop the habit of checking the accuracy of information provided by AI and using technology responsibly.

This year's contest has the message "No one is left behind". Viettel said it will coordinate with IIG Vietnam to mobilize networks in 34 provinces and cities to support schools in organizing, from registration, review to taking exams. The business also plans to provide online lectures and a team of consulting experts to help students develop ideas into practical AI solutions. According to Mr. Hai, technology is only truly valuable when it is made available to everyone, regardless of whether students are in urban areas or remote areas.

AI or Behind includes three rounds, from November 2026 to April 2027. The first round takes place at schools from November 2 to December 30, 2026. The national qualifying round is expected to be held on March 14, 2027, selecting 40 groups to enter the final on April 11 in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. In the final round, 10 groups continued to develop AI projects according to the organizers' topics.

The total prize value is 280 million VND, of which the first prize is worth 100 million VND. The organizing committee sponsors exam and certificate costs and provides free practice materials and reference exam questions.

Liu Quy