On the evening of January 10, 2026, the grand finale of the first season of the “A.I Battlefield” competition officially crowned the winning team, concluding a nationwide event that attracted nearly 400 teams from universities, research institutes, and tech companies across Vietnam. The event was broadcast live on VTV2 and VTV3, capturing the attention of a vast audience. As Vietnam’s first artificial intelligence competition and a flagship national AI program on television, “A.I Battlefield” was launched with a long-term mission: to discover and nurture AI talent, promote AI applications for real-world problem-solving, and contribute to the nation’s digital transformation agenda. Techcombank served as the co-organizer and exclusive sponsor throughout the season, actively participating in organizing and shaping talent development initiatives aligned with the practical needs of Vietnam’s digital economy.
During the finale, Techcombank awarded an international AI scholarship worth up to $1 million to the winning team, Converged. This marks the most valuable prize ever granted in a Vietnamese AI competition, underscoring the bank’s enduring commitment to advancing science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation in line with Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo. The scholarship also empowers AI talents to contribute to Vietnam’s digital future.
Organizers awarding the first prize to Team Converged
At the event, Mr. Trần Văn Khải, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee on Science, Technology, and Environment; Mr. Nguyễn Thanh Lâm, General Director of Vietnam Television; Major General Nguyễn Ngọc Cương, Director of the National Data Center (Ministry of Public Security) and Vice Chairman of the National Data Association; and Mr. Jens Lottner, CEO of Techcombank, jointly launched the second season of “A.I Battlefield” in 2026. This season will expand its scale and participation compared to the inaugural edition. Techcombank will continue as the co-organizer and exclusive sponsor, reinforcing its long-term strategy to develop AI talent—a critical driver of Vietnam’s digital economy.
Organizers officially launch Season 2 of ‘A.I Battlefield’
Techcombank’s continued partnership with “A.I Battlefield” in its second year not only extends the success of the first season but also highlights the bank’s long-term commitment as a leading financial institution and ecosystem developer in fostering Vietnam’s AI workforce. Through this, Techcombank solidifies its role as a pioneer in realizing the Politburo’s Resolution 57-NQ/TW by nurturing high-quality AI talent, positioning Vietnam as a regional and global tech leader.
A Compelling Showdown
The first prize was awarded to Converged’s three members—Lương Sơn Tịnh, Đoàn Viết Thắng, and Nguyễn Hoàng Anh—for their highly applicable solution: Vietnam’s first integrated AI platform for education. This system streamlines lesson planning to just 15 minutes, empowering educators and enhancing student learning experiences.
In the final round, teams demonstrated mastery over data handling, quality control, noise reduction, training strategies, and evaluation metrics. Judges prioritized analytical rigor, methodological transparency, and real-world deployment readiness—key criteria for enterprise- and national-scale AI applications. Converged’s solution stood out for its scalability, stability, and adaptability to complex scenarios.
The four finalists of the first ‘A.I Battlefield’ season
The finale’s unique focus was on teams’ ability to manage data, address business challenges, and demonstrate community responsibility—convincing both the judges’ logic and empathy. Beyond the first prize, organizers awarded one second prize, two third prizes, and eight Promising Talent awards, totaling significant contributions to Vietnam’s AI ecosystem.
Global AI Scholarship Triumph
Converged’s victory earned them VND 1 billion in cash and Techcombank’s “$1 Million Miracle” scholarship—Vietnam’s most prestigious AI award. This underscores a sustainable development approach where businesses and the nation jointly invest in talent, addressing Vietnam’s growing AI workforce demands and curbing brain drain.
The scholarship enables Vietnamese AI talents to study at top global universities before contributing to Vietnam’s tech advancement. This practical strategy enhances national competitiveness by fostering homegrown expertise in an era of rising AI recruitment costs.
Cultivating a Battlefield for AI Talent
For Techcombank, “A.I Battlefield” is more than a sponsored competition—it’s a long-term strategy to cultivate future-ready AI talent. Dr. Jens Lottner emphasized, “AI is transforming how we work, compete, and grow. Investing in AI talent today secures Vietnam’s long-term competitiveness. Techcombank, alongside Masterise Group and One Mount, is committed to creating a tech ecosystem where talents access cutting-edge data and tools to innovate for customers. We remain dedicated to empowering talents to drive Vietnam’s progress in this new era. Congratulations to all winners—they embody the future of Vietnamese AI.”
As the first season concludes, “A.I Battlefield” has established itself as a platform for discovering, nurturing, and connecting Vietnamese AI talent. It symbolizes a new Vietnam rising in the AI era through homegrown capabilities, supported by collaboration among the government, businesses, and the tech community.
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