A step towards AI-powered journalism

The world is entering an unprecedented phase of development in human history, where technology is not merely a supporting tool but a driving force reshaping the global socio-economic order. AI, big data, cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and digital platforms are expanding the frontiers of development, profoundly transforming how people live, learn, communicate, and work.

In line with Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, investing in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation is a key task for Vietnam to achieve its development goals by 2030, with a vision towards 2045.

Mr. Dao Quang Binh, Chairman of the Management Board and General Managing Editor and General Director of Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy, said that in this volatile digital era, where information can move at lightning speed, press and media agencies are facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges. “The profound changes in information consumption habits, and the increasing demand for diverse, personalized, and interactive content have posed a critical challenge for media agencies to undergo digital transformation,” he said. “Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy recognized early on that digital transformation is not just an option, but an inevitable path for growth. We cannot allow ourselves to stand outside this digital revolution.”

The transformation in how readers access information is not only a challenge but also a powerful source of inspiration for Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy to ignite breakthrough ideas. “We firmly believe that technology will be a powerful lever to enhance content quality, optimize operational processes, and expand our influence, thereby creating new value for society,” he added.

Pioneering AI-powered journalism

On June 2, Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy officially launched the Marcom-AI Platform ecosystem, a comprehensive suite of AI applications designed specifically for press and media agencies. Ms. Dao Thu Ha, Head of the Digital Business Department at Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy, explained that the media-tech ecosystem includes an AI-powered CMS platform that enables flexible and efficient content management, optimizes user interface design, and is fully ready for AI integration. “The platform not only addresses the limitations of traditional CMS systems but also offers flexibility, robustness, and exceptional scalability for press agencies and other organizations,” she said.

Mr. Luu Quang Trung, Design Manager at Hemera Media, explained that the key differentiator of its AI CMS lies in its end-to-end application of AI throughout the entire workflow, from content creation, editing, and management to publishing and decision-making support. The platform is designed to optimize newsroom operations with a user-centric approach, serving three main user groups: journalists, editorial teams, and readers.

In addition to the AI CMS system, the Marcom-AI Platform includes the Asko Platform, a suite of AI-powered tools. These include Askonomy Smartchat, an assistant for accessing economic information; Asko Brief, which summarizes key updates; AskoVerse, a translation tool for economic content; AskoVocal, a text-to-speech converter; and Asko Vocal Premium, which offers exclusive voice generation capabilities. “What truly sets this initiative apart is that Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy is not just reporting the news, but creating long-term value, where journalism becomes part of a connected experience and generates meaningful impact for both readers and businesses,” Ms. Ha emphasized.

The Asko Platform is Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy’s response to the growing demand for AI solutions that truly understand the local market. Rather than a generic tool, this is a custom-built system tailored to address challenges that mainstream AI models have yet to resolve in Vietnam.

Mr. Nguyen Sy Hoang, Deputy General Managing Editor of Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy, noted that the publication had previously tested various available AI tools but found that none met its expectations. In response, it partnered with technology providers to co-develop a specialized AI product, one that addresses the specific operational needs of a leading economic media outlet in Vietnam and meets the evolving demands of readers and businesses in today’s digital landscape.

When developing Askonomy, the team focused on three foundational priorities. The first was maintaining tight control over training data, eliminating sensitive content to ensure safety and relevance; an essential concern for any media organization. The second was minimizing “model hallucinations”, or the generation of inaccurate or fabricated information. Askonomy was designed to be a reliable assistant that delivers truthful and accurate content. The third was enabling real-time updates, ensuring that every answer provided is based on the most current available data. With these qualities, Askonomy functions not only as a powerful internal tool but also as a versatile solution for readers, whether they are searching for economic information or making informed decisions in specific situations.

One practical example of Askonomy’s capability is its integration of scattered data from multiple sources. For instance, National Assembly sessions typically generate a vast amount of data. In the past, news coverage could only highlight a small portion of this information through selected articles or quoted opinions. Askonomy makes it possible to aggregate and analyze all of that data, turning it into a valuable source of insight and helping readers gain access to deeper, more comprehensive analysis.

From innovation to impact

Notably, Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy’s experience in implementing AI can be scaled and applied across other media organizations and businesses, thanks to its foundation being built on open-source technology. According to Dr. Huynh Ly Thanh Trung, Founder of Actable AI and Actable AI Vietnam, the co-developer of the Asko Platform, the model allows flexible integration through three different approaches. The first is the SaaS (Software as a Service) model, which enables businesses to subscribe and use the platform with a monthly licensing fee. The second is an on-site deployment model, where the platform is installed directly onto a business’s own infrastructure. While this may incur higher initial costs, it offers significant long-term savings and ensures full control over data. The third is a hybrid cloud model, combining internal infrastructure with cloud services from providers like Microsoft, Google, or Amazon, offering a balance between cost efficiency and performance.

Mr. Trung explained that the Asko Platform not only addresses the limitations of global AI solutions but also provides high levels of customization, cost efficiency, and data security. With tightly integrated data from Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy and the ability to tailor solutions to individual business needs, he expressed strong confidence that this is a breakthrough solution. It has the potential to enhance productivity and generate unique value within economic media, and will likely inspire other businesses in their journey towards AI adoption.

According to Mr. Binh, as AI thrives on vast datasets, the infrastructure required to support it is costly. If enterprises and editorial teams were to collaborate by sharing data and infrastructure and jointly utilize developed AI models, this would be a highly effective and economical solution.

The launch of the Marcom-AI Platform serves as a vivid testament to Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy’s drive for innovation being translated into concrete actions. These are not just internal technology tools; they also represent a broader ambition: to share technological achievements with Vietnam’s media and business community. “In the near future, we aim to offer these advanced technology services tailored to the specific needs of each organization, helping businesses optimize their production, operations, and communications in the most effective way in this new era - ‘The era of the nation’s rise’,” Mr. Binh said.

Building a self-sustaining AI ecosystem

To further promote the spirit of technological advancement and AI adoption within the community, aligned with the goals outlined in Resolution No. 57, Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy has officially announced the establishment of the Data & AI Alliance (D.A Alliance). The alliance aims to build a sustainable cooperative network connecting the media, businesses, research institutions, and government agencies to develop an autonomous data and AI ecosystem that supports Vietnam’s digital economic growth.

The alliance is built on the technological foundation of the Marcom AI Platform Consortium, a collaboration between Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy, Actable AI Vietnam, and Hemera Media. This ecosystem offers tailored AI solutions for the fields of media and marketing, with expanded applications in corporate management, public services, healthcare, education, and big data analytics for public policy.

According to Mr. Binh, the formation of the alliance serves a broader vision beyond the internal needs of the media organization. “We envision these technological achievements becoming powerful tools and open platforms accessible to press agencies, State agencies, media companies, and businesses alike,” he said. “These solutions are built in Vietnam, for Vietnam, and with Vietnam in mind; designed to suit the country’s unique needs and context with a spirit of self-reliance and resilience.”

He affirmed that the D.A Alliance will act as a facilitator for cooperation and a catalyst for building a strong data economy and AI application ecosystem, helping position Vietnam as a regional innovation hub. Beyond offering technological solutions, the alliance is committed to contributing to policy development, establishing AI application standards, and nurturing high-quality digital talent.

The launch of the Marcom-AI Platform, the Marcom AI Platform Consortium, and the D.A Alliance reflect Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy’s strong commitment to pioneering technology adoption, particularly AI, to tackle the challenges faced by the media sector in the digital age. The ultimate goal is to deliver breakthrough solutions that help news organizations, businesses, and institutions optimize operations, enhance communication effectiveness, and engage more intelligently with readers and customers, thereby creating lasting competitive advantages.

Associate Professor Pham Ngoc Linh, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), noted that the Marcom-AI Platform and Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy’s high-tech vision are concrete and practical steps towards realizing the objectives set out in Resolution No. 57. “This not only demonstrates the pioneering spirit of a leading media institution in the economic domain, but also spreads a strong message of innovation,” he said. “It marks a significant advancement in applying technology to communication strategy development and opens new pathways for the growth of Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy and other press agencies and businesses alike.”

Emphasizing that this event is not merely a milestone for Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy but also a meaningful development for VUSTA, Dr. Linh noted that for over 30 years, Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy has stood side-by-side with businesses and the national economy. Now, as an information hub for Vietnam’s economic landscape, the publication reaffirms its leadership role in advancing high-tech applications.