On the morning of May 6, 2026, as part of his research and working residency at Ba Ria – Vung Tau University (BVU), Professor Robert Winston Taylor from Montclair State University (USA) held an inspiring session with students from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology. Under the theme “Unlocking the Power of AI,” the exchange provided vivid, practical insights into how technology is reshaping the world.
AI Supporting Creativity and Enhancing Life
Attending the event, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Hoang, Rector of BVU, remarked: “Ba Ria – Vung Tau University is honored to host Professor Robert Winston Taylor. He is a renowned American scholar in AI, Sustainable Development Planning, and Geoeconomics, and was nominated by the U.S. President for the Fulbright teaching program in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam.”
Professor Taylor opened the presentation by introducing a fresh definition of Agentic AI—a significant leap beyond standard Generative AI (GenAI). He emphasized that we are entering an era where AI “agents” do not just generate content but possess the contextual understanding to make decisions and act autonomously.
“Approximately half of today’s global workload could be replaced by Agentic AI specifically designed for particular economic sectors,” the Professor noted. He encouraged BVU students to move beyond using ChatGPT for simple Q&A and instead learn to train Large Language Models (LLMs) on unstructured datasets—such as images and technical PDFs—to create sophisticated problem-solving tools for businesses.
He further categorized the evolution of AI for the students:
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Traditional AI: Predictive models used for data classification and pattern recognition within specific scopes (Machine Learning).
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Generative AI (GenAI): Utilizing neural networks and deep learning to create original content (text, images, audio) based on existing data.
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Large Language Models (LLMs): Trained on massive datasets to provide intelligent, creative, and flexible responses.
The AI Landscape in Southeast Asia: Opportunities vs. Barriers
Citing the 2026 McKinsey Report, Professor Taylor pointed out that Southeast Asia is adopting AI at a rate exceeding the global average. With 389 million people under the age of 35, the region—including Vietnam—is fertile ground for cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Alibaba Cloud.
However, he candidly identified “bottlenecks”: “20% of businesses suffer from a shortage of high-level talent, and 16% struggle to integrate AI into legacy systems.” As the world changes by the minute, this presents a “golden opportunity” for BVU Engineering and Technology students—provided they proactively equip themselves with “combat-ready” skills and an innovative mindset while still in university.
Field Project: Using AI to “Rescue” Vung Tau from Urban Heat
The most captivating segment of the talk was the announcement of the Urban Heat Island research process in Vung Tau’s central wards, specifically Front Beach and Back Beach.
The research team, comprising Professor Taylor and BVU members, utilizes GIS data and real-world WBGT (Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature) indices. The Professor simulated the synergy between human intelligence and AI as follows:
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Collection: Students scan coordinates and photograph dark concrete surfaces that absorb high radiation.
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AI Diagnosis: Field descriptions are fed into AI models to analyze causes and rank potential solutions.
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Execution: Proposing specific interventions such as artistic shade structures at Back Beach, green roofs for hotel systems, and “cool pavements” for commercial streets.
During the program, he officially invited students to join the fieldwork. “Vung Tau is a magnificent tourist city, but sea salt corrosion and high construction density are major challenges. We need AI to assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of cooling solutions before physical implementation,” he explained.
Connecting BVU to Global Trends
The session concluded with an energetic Q&A. Challenging questions regarding AI ethics and data utilization were met with intuitive, relatable examples from the Professor. Learning AI is no longer about theory; it must be tethered to real societal problems.
The presence of Professor Robert Winston Taylor serves as a bridge connecting BVU students to the world’s most advanced technological trends. During his month-long residency, he will continue to provide intensive AI training for both faculty and students to foster a robust scientific research community.
Stay tuned to BVU’s media channels for updates on upcoming events with Professor Robert Winston Taylor!
