FPT Corporation, a leading Vietnamese IT firm, unveiled a comprehensive strategic partnership with chipmaker NVIDIA on April 23. The collaboration marks a significant stride in Vietnam's mission to become a global AI hub.

FPT will invest $200 million to establish an AI factory powered by NVIDIA's cutting-edge technologies. This includes NVIDIA's AI Enterprise software suite, frameworks, and powerful H100 Tensor Core GPUs.

The partnership centers on creating a one-stop shop for AI and cloud services, encompassing AI products, GPU infrastructure, and expertise for clients across Vietnam and other regions where FPT operates.

This collaboration has several key goals. It aims to fuel AI innovation within the region by building AI factories dedicated to research and development. Additionally, it will expand advanced AI and cloud capabilities internationally.

Finally, the partnership will cultivate a future-ready, tech-savvy workforce – crucial for success in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

AI Factory to Accelerate Development

FPT's AI factory will operate as a sovereign cloud, providing cloud GPU services to FPT's corporate clients globally.

This will give businesses access to crucial resources for enhancing their research capabilities and expediting the development of innovative AI applications, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of generative AI.

This access has the potential to revolutionize productivity and customer experiences across industries.

Vietnam's AI Ambitions

The AI factory is pivotal to FPT's strategy of bolstering its AI research and development efforts, ultimately focused on transforming Vietnam into an AI nation. This aligns with the wider goal of accelerating nationwide AI adoption, emphasizing targeted markets in Vietnam, Japan, and South Korea.

By joining NVIDIA's Partner Network as a Service Delivery Partner, FPT positions itself to evolve into a Global Systems Integrator. This will empower FPT to harness NVIDIA's advanced technologies to create tailored cloud services, hardware, software, and, crucially, generative AI solutions.

FPT sees immense potential for the transformative power of generative AI. They will prioritize automotive, manufacturing, and BFSI (banking, financial services, and insurance) sectors.

FPT plans to deliver comprehensive generative AI services to unlock breakthrough levels of productivity and automation in these industries. Additionally, FPT will integrate these technologies into its existing AI Labs alongside new software frameworks.

Cultivating Vietnam's AI Workforce

Alongside its technological focus, FPT understands the importance of human capital. Its education division will collaborate with NVIDIA to integrate their programs into educational curricula, training, and lab facilities for both university and high school students.

This initiative aims to reach at least 30,000 students within the next five years, creating a robust pipeline of local AI talent.

“FPT is committed to digital transformation, AI, cloud technologies, and education," affirmed Dr. Truong Gia Binh, FPT Corporation Chairman and Founder. He went on to emphasize FPT's plan is "to turn Vietnam into an AI hub of the world through collaboration with NVIDIA in technology, business development, and training.”

Mr. Keith Strier, NVIDIA Vice President of Worldwide AI Initiative, said “By accelerating innovation in healthcare, agriculture, climate, manufacturing, and more." He added that "AI has the potential to improve lives and strengthen the economies of every nation.”

FPT also plans to explore opportunities to develop cloud gaming experiences with NVIDIA GeForce NOW in Vietnam. This move reflects the growing market for cloud-based gaming experiences across the globe.

This investment from FPT and the deep collaboration with NVIDIA represent a landmark moment in Vietnam's quest to become a leading player in the global AI landscape.