As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to reshape the global economy, equipping the younger generation with AI skills is no longer an optional add-on—it is a survival requirement. Recently, FPT University officially launched the AI Young Guru competition – a nationwide technological arena specifically for high school and vocational students. With a total prize pool of up to VND 5 billion, the competition promises to be a major catalyst, driving the wave of AI learning and application among Vietnamese youth.

1. AI Young Guru – More Than a Competition, It’s a Journey of Discovery

Unlike pure academic competitions, AI Young Guru is designed as a four-month experiential journey. The core objective is not only to find the brightest stars but to popularize AI knowledge systematically among thousands of students across all 63 provinces.

The competition targets high school and vocational students—the "digital natives" who possess the innate ability to grasp technology quickly and will serve as the key workforce for national digital transformation in the near future.

2. A Three-Stage Structure: From Theory to "Real-world Practice"

AI Young Guru is divided into three distinct phases, allowing participants to enhance their capabilities step-by-step:

• Stage 1: Foundation & Ideation: During this phase, students focus on learning fundamental concepts and proposing creative ideas for applying AI to solve real-world problems.
• Stage 2: The Arena: The best ideas advance to a competitive stage. Here, participants demonstrate their logical thinking, programming skills, and ability to pitch their solutions.
• Stage 3: Real-world Practice: The most unique aspect of AI Young Guru is its practicality. Students go beyond theory to develop products that undergo real-life testing. Offline rounds held in five major cities provide students with the chance to network and learn from industry experts.

3. Structured Training: Free Applied AI Course

A significant highlight of AI Young Guru is its commitment to community support. All registered participants gain access to a free Applied AI course developed by FPT University experts. This course systemizes knowledge and provides guidance on using modern AI tools effectively, safely, and responsibly. This initiative helps bridge the digital divide between students in major cities and those in rural areas.

4. A Commitment to Safe and Responsible AI

Amid ongoing debates about the negative impacts of AI, the AI Young Guru competition maintains a clear stance: AI serves humanity. Projects are evaluated not only on technical creativity but also on ethics, data security, and social responsibility. This is an essential lesson for students to form a proper technological mindset while still in school.

5. The Strategic Importance of Young AI Talent

Identifying and nurturing AI talent from the K-12 level is a strategic move for the nation. The participants of AI Young Guru today will become the AI engineers and tech startup founders of tomorrow. The competition helps:

• Early detection of tech-gifted individuals.
• Create a nationwide community of AI-enthusiast students.
• Equip the next generation of digital citizens with solid digital competencies.

6. Connecting with Education Vietnam 2026

Outstanding projects from competitions like AI Young Guru are vivid examples of the transformation in Vietnamese education. At Education Vietnam 2026, we will continue to bring you the latest updates on AI case studies in schools, pioneering EdTech solutions, and modern digital skill training models.

If you are interested in how AI is changing the future of teaching and learning, join us at the premier education event in May 2026.