At FPT Leader Talk 2026, held at Foreign Trade University, representatives of FPT Corporation announced that the company has introduced a practical artificial intelligence (AI) skills assessment into entry-level recruitment requirements starting in 2026. According to FPT experts, future workforce competitiveness will depend not only on specialized knowledge, independent thinking, and real-world problem-solving abilities, but also on the ability to apply AI effectively in the workplace.
FPT Leader Talk 2026, themed “AI and Economy – How Technology Is Rewriting the Rules of the Economic Landscape,” was jointly organized by FPT and Foreign Trade University. The event brought together representatives from both institutions, technology experts, finance and banking professionals, and a large number of students.
Discussions focused on AI's impact on the economy, evolving recruitment requirements, and the skills young people need to prepare for the future.
FPT Leader Talk 2026 explores the impact of AI on the economy, recruitment trends, and the capabilities young professionals need to develop.Knowing How to Use AI Is No Longer Enough to Meet Business Expectations
Mr. Chu Quang Huy, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of FPT Corporation, explained that 10–15 years ago, FPT's entry-level recruitment process primarily focused on English proficiency, logical reasoning, and general aptitude assessments. Starting in 2026, however, FPT has added a practical AI application assessment for entry-level candidates.
According to Mr. Huy, AI is transforming how work is organized and how businesses recruit talent. Many existing jobs will remain, but employees must acquire new skills to meet changing business needs.
These requirements can evolve within just a few months, making continuous learning essential for employees while requiring educational institutions to regularly update curricula to keep pace with market demands.
Mr. Chu Quang Huy, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of FPT Corporation, explains that FPT has incorporated practical AI application skills into recruitment requirements starting in 2026.Having used AI does not necessarily mean someone can apply the technology effectively at work. While individuals may primarily use chatbots to search for information, draft documents, or prepare presentations, businesses need employees who can integrate AI into workflows, improve productivity, and deliver measurable results.
This approach also underpins CASAN, FPT's five-level AI transformation framework, which progresses from AI familiarization and using AI to enhance individual capabilities to workflow standardization, process automation, and AI integration into enterprise operating models.
Mr. Huy emphasized that employees need a sound understanding of AI, including the ability to identify opportunities and risks, to determine appropriate learning and application strategies.
Professionals Without Technology Backgrounds Can Also Develop AI Products
According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phong, AI Transformation Director of FPT Corporation, every major wave of technological advancement reshapes the employment landscape while creating new ways of working and new job opportunities. With AI, this transformation is taking place at an accelerated pace.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phong, AI Transformation Director of FPT Corporation, shares insights at the event.As AI makes knowledge more accessible and simplifies many tasks, the ability to ask the right questions, identify problems, evaluate outcomes, and make informed decisions is becoming increasingly important.
Although AI can assist with numerous activities, people remain responsible for the quality of their work and the final decisions they make.
To prepare for future careers, Mr. Phong identified three core competencies: Domain Expertise, AI Fluency, and Human Judgment.
Under this framework, students and professionals specializing in economics, finance, marketing, or business administration can leverage AI to develop innovative solutions within their areas of expertise without necessarily having a background in information technology.
To illustrate this point, Mr. Phong introduced an AI-powered product developed by a team of FPT employees from marketing, business, and project management departments, none of whom had a programming background.
The solution supports content creation, data analysis, and business operations, demonstrating how professionals from different disciplines can develop practical AI applications.
Mr. Phong believes that the next generation of AI leaders could emerge from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds as more people learn to combine domain knowledge with technology to create new value.
This development could also contribute to implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo, which focuses on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.
AI Is Reshaping Workforce Requirements in Finance and Banking
From an industry perspective, Mr. Dao Hong Giang, Director of the Banking and Finance Sector at FPT IS, FPT Corporation, noted that finance and banking are among the sectors experiencing significant changes driven by AI.
Mr. Dao Hong Giang, Director of the Banking and Finance Sector at FPT IS, FPT Corporation, discusses AI applications in financial services.Digital transformation has led to substantial growth in customer numbers and transactions conducted through digital channels, creating new operational demands.
AI is being researched and deployed across various banking functions, including marketing, customer service, data analytics, credit assessment, fraud detection, and risk management.
For example, AI assistants can help process customer requests, analyze call content, and recommend suitable products. In lending, AI can support data aggregation, risk assessment, and customer credit scoring, helping reduce loan application processing times.
However, AI adoption also presents challenges related to data quality, return on investment, information security, model reliability, and regulatory frameworks.
Mr. Giang emphasized that AI capabilities cannot replace professional expertise. Users must understand the underlying business processes to assess the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated outputs.
In highly regulated and trust-sensitive sectors such as finance and banking, human judgment, risk assessment, decision-making, and accountability remain essential.
FPT and Foreign Trade University Collaborate to Prepare the Future Workforce
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Hang, Vice President of Foreign Trade University, shared that the university and FPT established a comprehensive partnership in 2023.
Since then, both institutions have implemented various joint initiatives and continued expanding cooperation in technology, including activities related to the university's TechLab.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Hang, Vice President of Foreign Trade University, highlights the new challenges AI presents for higher education.According to Dr. Hang, the rapid development of AI raises important questions for higher education, particularly how to integrate AI into teaching across economics, business, finance, law, and business languages while equipping students with the competencies needed to remain competitive in the labor market.
She emphasized the importance of exposing students to real-world business experience and insights from technology experts, helping them learn how to use and master AI responsibly.
Industry-academia initiatives such as FPT Leader Talk enable students to better understand evolving market expectations and proactively prepare for their future careers.
Through FPT Leader Talk 2026, FPT and Foreign Trade University aim to bring practical perspectives on AI and the application of AI across economic sectors closer to students.
The event also introduced the AI Challenge, offering students opportunities to explore AI applications, gain hands-on experience, and develop creative thinking skills.